Chapter 1: A Fresh New Start on the Journey
Zuko, banished prince of the Fire Nation watched silently as his uncle heaved the last of his huge luggage onto the other anchored ship, more specifically, the Nations Transportation Vessel (NTV). Yes, Iroh was going away, on business he would not tell Zuko of.
I wonder what uncle is up to. He did not appear to be acting strange in the past week…why the sudden need to leave? Perhaps…
"Zuko?" a gentle voice spoke up from being him, breaking him in his thoughts. Zuko spun around to see his uncle, with a ticket and passport in his hand.
"Do not worry, I will be back in a week or so…or at least I expect to be," Iroh gave Zuko a bright smile, though it was obvious to hear the sadness in his voice.
"I know uncle," Zuko replied, not showing any emotion.
"Don't get into any trouble now. I wouldn't want to come back to find my ship burnt to a crisp," Iroh joked lightly. The horn of the NTV blew in the background, and it signaled that the ship was going to lift anchor. "Goodbye Zuko, Goodbye" suddenly, Iroh pulled his nephew into a bear hug, and all his sadness of departure, his worry of danger for Zuko, his guilt for leaving behind the only thing that was dear to him in the world, was put into that hug. With one last smile, Iroh turned around and headed onto the ship, disappearing in the crowd.
As the ship parted, Zuko saw his uncle's face emerge again, waving goodbye. Zuko just nodded and when the ship was nowhere in sight, he whispered, "Be safe uncle. Be safe."
"Great! Now where are we?" A boy around the age of 16 questioned as he stared down at the torn, mud-stained map.
"Well, for one, Sokka, you're reading it backwards!" a girl replied next to him, tapping her foot impatiently on the ground.
"Am not, Katara! Mind your own business!" Sokka retorted back, even though the map was truly upside-down.
"Two hours ago I decided to for once, to mind my own business, and be a good sister, and not interrupt you while you so gallantly led us through the forest like the blind man you are! Now look at where you got us! NOWHERE!"
"Well…well…I'm the older one and that means my instincts are better than yours and I'm the one that's right!"
"Look where your instincts got us the last time we were stuck in a forest!"
"HEY! You bet-"
"STOP IT!" the two bickering sibling immediately stopped fighting as they turned around and stared at the frustrated 12 year old avatar behind them, well, actually 112 year old avatar. "We need to think of a plan."
Sokka groaned. "Aang, why can't we just ride Appa? It would be so much easier and we wouldn't have to walk…my feet are sore."
"We already told you Sokka! The Northern Water Tribe said that this forest was said to be Fire Nation territory! We can't risk being seen! Use your thick head for once!" Katara sighed as she slapped a hand to her forehead.
"Katara's right, Sokka, and besides, we've done exactly the same walking as you. If we can continue, so can you." Aang insisted as the three trudged on through the thick bushes and trees, hoping that they would soon find refuge.
Zuko sipped the tea in his hands softly. Although he would not admit it, Iroh's absence had affected him. There was no one to calm him when his temper rose, and he found himself getting furious at his soldiers over the littlest things. He grew impatient also of the lack of improvement on the Avatar's location. Sure, he had rested a few days after that whole North Pole fiasco. But, now he was back at it again, determined to finally capture the avatar. He had last seen the avatar and his little friends at the North Pole about two weeks ago…oh, how well he remembered that battle. The avatar…the blizzard…Admiral Zhao…the moon spirit…and ah yes, how could one forget…that water peasant girl. What was her name again? Cassandra, Katie? Whatever it was, all he knew was that that girl had ruined his plans. He might have gotten away with the avatar if the girl hadn't slowed him down. But that was of no importance anymore, for it was the past. He had new tasks to focus on, the first on his list being to locate the avatar.
Hoped you liked it! I tried my best...constructive critism allowed..just please no flames...I tried to make the characters sound like they would on television...but I don't think i did such a good job ." (perhaps you think otherwise) this is only the intro so i believe it will get better as it goes on... Thanks for reading and please review..I would be so happy..XD THX