Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender. If I did I would be dancing in the streets and singing, "Zuko is mine!"
Summary: Koh threatens to return and finish what he started centuries ago. New alliances will be formed, friendships will be tested, and characters will be challenged like never before.
Providence
Chapter Six: Confrontations
- - - - -
"You traveled to the spirit world?" Zuko asked in amazement. He knew his uncle feared and respected the spirits, but he never quite knew why. In fact there were a lot of things about his uncle he didn't know. It wasn't that he didn't care, but anytime he asked about a particularly sore spot of his mentor's past he would just shrug it off with his customary grin and wit. Eventually, the prince just gave up asking.
"Yes," Iroh's voice seemed heavier than usual. "The Houshu would have allowed Lu Ten to return to the natural world, but I was not able to save him. Koh, the Face Stealer, had sensed that my son had eaten from Nu-gua and took his life."
"But wasn't he immortal?"
"His body was immortal. The spirit Koh is a powerful being who can steal the face and soul of a man. Without a soul Lu Ten is nothing more than a motionless, invulnerable body that cannot decay…" His voice trailed. Although Zuko could not see his uncle he suspected he was trying to bring his emotions under control. Iroh cleared his voice and continued. "Even if I could have killed Koh it would not have saved my son. His soul is lost in the malicious power of that dangerous spirit along with all the others he has stolen."
Zuko wasn't sure how to respond to this. His cousin Lu Ten was one of those subjects that were never to be mentioned and he honestly couldn't remember him well enough to mourn his death. But sensing the obvious pain it caused his mentor was enough to allow a moment of silence in respect.
The exiled prince shifted against the floor and winced at the pain that shot through his body. His injuries were still annoyingly painful, although he refused to allow them to hinder him in any way. He will escape and Chen will regret having ever heard of Prince Zuko. "So that egotistical ass Chen desires immortality, I can't say I'm surprised. Does he really think he can accomplish this when Lu Ten couldn't?"
Iroh's voice hardened. "Chen doesn't know about my son, but even if he did it would not deter him. He released the Houshu he has stolen from their protective seals and now Koh is manipulating him. Immortality is just a carrot the Face Stealer is dangling in front of him."
Zuko took a moment to let this absorb, "So what will you do now?"
"We will be landing on an island where I hid the Fire Nation's Houshu, but Chen will not be able to acquire it. Once we land on shore we will make our move."
"Uncle," he took the opportunity to question Iroh while he was in such a confessing mood. "Who else knows…about Lu Ten?"
There was moment of silence before he answered, "No one. When I returned home from the Earth Kingdom defeated I declared Idzumo a peasant's fairy tale and let the world continue thinking that Lu Ten had died in battle. A part of me also died that day."
Zuko suddenly felt uncomfortable with this shift in the conversation. It was difficult for him to see his strong teacher show any weakness. This was obviously a hard subject for his uncle to speak about and it was affecting Zuko as well.
"When I look at you," Iroh started again. "I see my second chance…a chance to do for you what I could not do for my son. And I also see myself when I was young and full of anger. I don't want to see you repeat the mistakes I made."
The prince visibly flinched at this last statement. The sound of footsteps coming towards their cells kept them from further conversation.
"Good morning, my friends," Shing's voice echoed joyfully in the depressing prison hold. "I am pleased to tell you that we will be arriving at our destination very soon." He slid a tray of substandard food between the bars into each of the chambers. "Disgusting, I know. I apologize for the poor quality. If it were my ship…"
"Why is it you always feel obligated to bore us with your mindless dribble?" Zuko cut him off before Shing could ramble on in his usual voluble way.
"Would you rather I did a song and dance? This isn't a cruise ship. Be thankful for any civility offered to you," he replied without missing a beat.
Iroh bit his bottom lip to keep from chuckling, but Zuko was not amused. He kicked the tray out of the cell and back to its deliveryman, his amber eyes glittering with spite.
Shing sighed. Really, why couldn't he have been given an easier job like cleaning the entire ship with a toothbrush? "Fine, have it your way, but you'll need your strength when we arrive. You can't execute a descent escape plan otherwise."
Zuko opened his mouth to retort, but changed his mind and closed it again. He doubted he would ever figure out what went on inside Shing's head.
- - - - -
"You have a strange way of thanking your rescuer," she replied.
"Thank you?" Sokka couldn't believe the audacity of this woman. "Just who do you think you are?"
The young woman waited before speaking as though weighing her options, "Yori."
"So Yori, do you enjoy visiting islands with flesh eating creatures or is there something you're looking for?" The warrior lifted his boomerang and the woman assumed a defensive stance.
"Sokka, wait!" Aang took hold of his arm. "Let's not fight, she did help us."
"Don't be naïve, Aang. For all we know she could be the one after the Houshu," he insisted.
"If you've come for the Houshu, I can tell you truly that you won't be able to obtain it," Yori stated matter-of-factly.
That was all the proof Sokka needed. He hurled the boomerang forward with remarkable speed aimed for the young woman's shoulder. Instead of metal against flesh there was the sound of metal against metal. Yori blocked the oncoming weapon with her wrist and hand guard, pushing it to the right to land harmlessly on the grass. Then she charged forward, her arm pulled back ready to punch her opponent. Sokka lifted his arms defensively, predicting her attack, only to feel the force of her foot against his side. It was a brutal kick that sent him flying to the left until he landed violently on the ground. Full of anger, Sokka got back to his feet and charged the girl, but he was a split second too late.
A stream of water cascaded from Katara's canteen and pushed Yori back. The next moment the water turned to ice, freezing the young woman into immobility. She struggled to move, but her efforts were in vain. Her eyes took the shade a pure hard steel, her voice was metallic as she spoke, "Let me go."
He sighed. Sokka really wished his friends would learn to listen to him one day. The warrior relaxed, but the intense look on his face stayed. "Not until you answer our questions. Why are you here?"
Yori paused, but her expression showed no fear. She eventually gave in, sensing that she had no other choice but to answer their questions for now. "I'm awaiting the arrival of the man who stole my people's Houshu, so that I can return the jewel to its rightful place."
Katara's eyes widened, "Does that mean you know the identity of the man who's stealing them?"
"Yes," she nodded. "But only by name. He is a pirate called Chen, quite deadly with a sword."
"How do you know about this island?" Sokka's voice was unyielding.
"I was sent here by a member of the royal family of Ba-Sing-Sei. If Chen is planning to collect all four he will undoubtedly be making his way here for the Fire Nation's Houshu."
"Do you know where it is?" Aang asked hopefully.
Her voice softened faintly, "It is hidden deep in the den of the wolves, impossible to retrieve by anyone short of a master."
There was a frustrated chorus of groans as the two young men fell to the ground.
"Relax," Katara said with the most comforting voice she could muster. "I'm sure we'll think of something."
Sokka gave her a look, "We barely managed to survive them once, how are we supposed to take on the whole pack?"
Katara was unfazed, "She said, 'impossible to retrieve by anyone short of a master.' Between the three of us I'm sure we'll be able to get the jewel."
"You're amazingly optimistic considering you were almost lunch just a few minutes ago," he retorted.
The waterbender took a deep breath and tried to calm herself. There were more important things now than a fight. She wanted to believe that Yori was telling the truth, but Katara knew it was foolish to take her word at face value. She doubted Yori would have any kind of proof of identification and even if she did it wouldn't be enough to escape suspicion, especially from Sokka. What they did know is that the young woman helped them fend off the wolves. Katara didn't know why she was hiding in the shadows, but it probably wasn't because she was shy. But all this was beside the point, their only objective was to find the Houshu and bring it back to the temple. Anyway, Yori didn't look like she was going anywhere.
"Yori," Aang broke the silence, "where is the wolf den?"
"I'd take you to it if I could move," she replied bitterly.
The three travelers exchanged glances, silently debating if they should release her.
Sokka saw the sympathetic looks in his sister and the Avatar's eyes. Taking captives wasn't their style and it was leaving a bitter taste in their mouths. He knew they would out vote him and venture to trust Yori, but the warrior's side still smarted from her attack. They would have to reach a compromise. Sokka took out some rope from his bag and held it out to her. "Katara will defrost you on one condition."
If looks could kill Sokka would be six feet under.
Yori was loath to be held prisoner any longer, but her other options weren't looking too pleasant either. She eventually nodded in agreement. With one swift movement from Katara a portion of the ice turned back into water, exposing the young woman's arms. Sokka carefully tied them together with a secure knot, feeling some satisfaction from her discomfort. Once his task was complete the rest of the ice disappeared.
"Alright, let's get moving."
- - - - -
After an evening spent in a cold, depressing cell Zuko saw daylight for the first time in what seemed like an eternity. The prince felt the warm sun on his face and felt revived by its power. When had he ever felt so freed by the sun? Well, maybe not freed.
Both Zuko and Iroh were firmly shackled, making their steps embarrassingly short. They were led out onto the deck by Shing and several other coarse looking pirates. Apparently, Chen wasn't taking any chances.
The pirate ship floated a safe distance from the island, the rocky shore preventing it from landing. Several small rowboats were being prepared to travel to their soon to be un-hidden jewel. All that was left to pack was two very unhappy firebenders.
"Shing," Chen addressed the younger man. "Take the boy with you, the old man will come to shore with me."
He gave a quick bow and led Zuko towards one of the boats, shouting orders to two more pirates to come along.
Chen then turned his piercing gaze to Iroh, "This is your last warning General, so listen carefully. You will take me to the location of the Houshu. If you fail to cooperate fully, then your nephew's head will be mounted on my wall."
Iroh replied with a yawn. He seemed almost bored by the pirate's threat, "Yes, yes, I can see that. Do you think you could loosen these chains? They're quite chafing."
The urge to impale the ex-general returned ten fold.
Soon, a number of small boats rowed slowly towards the shoreline in eager anticipation. The water was calmer near the island compared to the rough ocean they had traveled all night through. The isolated looking island seemed like nothing more than a serene vacation spot, an illusion that hid its deeper secrets.
Shing leaned back, arms crossed behind his head, and looking rather content as his two comrades were stuck with the chore of rowing. "It seems the spirits are on our side, I don't see a cloud in the sky. It's the perfect day for a treasure hunt, don't you think Zuko?"
If looks could kill Shing would be making small talk with the fish at the bottom of the sea.
"Come on, lighten up. Don't you know that old saying, 'be loved by the people, then there will be peace in the land'? A prince has an obligation to care for his people and therefore be loved in return. How do expect any fans if you're scowling all the time?"
"What would a pirate know about obligations?" Zuko didn't even try to hide the contempt in his voice.
He smiled, "Yeah, I guess you're right. I suppose in the Fire Nation it's more like 'be feared by the people, then there will be peace in the land.' Tell me, is that working for you?"
Zuko's scowling face turned into an inscrutable mask, his eyes narrowing into glittering shards of gold. Outwardly they seemed utterly frozen, but beneath them was a burning flame.
"Forget it," the pirate waved a hand dismissively. "As you said, what would I know about obligation?"
A sudden movement on the islands shore caught Zuko's eye. He looked just in time to see a large furry tail with an arrow disappear behind a large set of boulders. He blinked a couple of times as though he was hallucinating and peered again, but the coast was deserted.
- - - - -
"That little weasel!" Sokka panted as he stopped running and leaned against a tree for support.
As soon as the ice surrounding Yori had vanished she took off like the wind, leaving the trio stunned at her sudden cowardice. She was faster and more agile than they had anticipated and quickly lost track of her. Now she was gone, mingling with the shadows.
Aang and Katara caught up with the exhausted warrior and uttered almost simultaneously, "Did you find her?"
He growled. "No, and is it just me or do the women we meet just keep getting weirder and weirder?" The warrior wiped some of the sweat from his brow and turned his frustration on the Avatar. "Aang, why didn't you go after her? You are the one who's supposed to run like the wind!"
"Well, she took off so suddenly and…I was just…so shocked…" he finished lamely.
Sokka eyed him suspiciously, "You let her get away didn't you?"
"Well…"
"I don't believe this!"
"Guys!" Katara stepped between them. "That's enough. I'm sure Aang didn't mean any harm. You just wanted to pay her back didn't you? For her help with the wolves?"
Aang looked down at the ground nervously for a moment before eventually nodding.
The warrior gave an irritated snort and crossed his arms.
"Alright then," she continued. "All we can do now is to keep searching. I'm sure we'll find it."
Both boys seemed lost in thought, until the sound of rustling jolted them from their daze. They twirled around to see the large frame of a flying bison and the much smaller lemur making their way threw the forest.
"Appa! Momo!" Aang rushed towards his animal friends. He was about to leap forward and embrace them both when he noticed their distress. "What is it guys?"
- - - - -
Yori heaved a quiet sigh of relief from her hiding place in the treetops. Running away wasn't her usual style, but she was perfectly willing to compromise as circumstances allowed. She let a small smile grace her lips as she observed the trio following the bison and lemur towards the shore. Things were working out far better than anticipated. Her master would be pleased.
However, the next few hours would be crucial. The pirate ship's arrival meant that things were about to stir up very quickly, but that was just fine with Yori. Her entire life had been dedicated to the turbulence of battle. It had been a sorrowful day, the day her family realized she had not been gifted with the power of earthbending like so many of her ancestors before her. It was such a strange irony. The same blood that denied her that power afforded her this powerful position. She had received training from the most talented martial arts masters in the Earth Kingdom and practiced with a dedication that rivaled that of her bending peers.
But none of that would have been possible if it wasn't for him. He was the only one who believed in her when all the others were ready to demote her to a common foot soldier. No matter what twists and turns this outrageous plan may entail she would fight until the very end, throw everything away for the sake of her master's goal. It was who she was. No compromise, no second chance, no middle ground.
Yori reached for her hidden dagger, quickly cutting the rope that restrained her hands. She made her way silently towards the wolf den with the agility and grace of her years of education.
- - - - -
Aang could hardly believe his eyes. There, right in front of him, were at least a dozen pirates making their way towards the island. He knew it was only a matter of time before he would come face to face with the villain responsible for the theft of the Houshu, but deep down he had hoped it would be later rather than sooner. The Avatar had never been one to make a plan of action. He had always made it up as he went along, relying on his airbending and cleverness to get out of sticky situations. So far he had been pretty good at it, but something told him that it was going to take a lot more than resourcefulness to get them out of this one. "What do we do now?"
"This is perfect," Sokka mumbled.
"Perfect?" The waterbender repeated incredulously. For a smart boy her brother sometimes said the dumbest things.
Sokka looked completely serious, "They just solved our little wolf problem. We'll lie low and let them fight those blood-thirsty predators for us. Then once the Houshu is freed we'll take it from them."
Katara and Aang exchanged glances. It wasn't the most outrageous plan the warrior had come up with, but it wasn't the brightest either.
The Water Tribe girl crouched lower behind their rocky hiding place. "I don't know, Sokka. That's taking a pretty big risk."
"Hey, if you think of a better plan feel free to share."
"What makes you so sure those pirates will be easier to defeat than the wolves?"
"Why do you think the jewel has been hidden safely here for so long? Because the wolves have been guarding it!"
"Or maybe because no one knew its location until now. Sokka, this Chen guy has been able to steal two of the four jewels already. I don't think he's going to be a pushover."
"Like I said if you have a better plan," Sokka said exhaustedly.
Katara huffed, "What do you think, Aang…Aang?"
The Avatar had remained silent throughout the conversation, and was now peering out over the rocks with an intensity that made his friends nervous, "It's him. Zuko is with them!"
There was a duet of gasps. The Water Tribe siblings peered towards the bay with Aang and saw that his allegation was indeed correct. Among the twelve pirates that exited the rowboats onto the shore were their adversaries, Prince Zuko and his uncle Iroh.
- - - - -
Author's Notes: There has been a lot of speculation among the Avatar fans whether or not the final face shown by Koh in the season finale was the face of Iroh's son. Of course, there is no proof of this, but I like to think that it was. So here's my crazy little theory on how it was that Iroh's son came face to face with the Face Stealer and lost his life...well soul. Okay, I know it doesn't make a lot of sense, but consider the source. I lost my mind a long time ago.
I wanted the scene between Iroh and Zuko to be heart-felt, but not too sappy. I've changed it around at least a dozen times and finally settled on something short and sweet. It is my opinion that Iroh identifies with Zuko, with the sibling rivalry and what will most likely become a fight for the throne. But like I said, it's just my opinion.
Poor Sokka. Yes my female characters keep getting stranger and stranger, don't they? To be honest, when I was first developing this story idea I didn't plan on having Yori at all (which is why she didn't show up until the sixth chapter). But I eventually created her out of necessity. Now I'm making all sorts of plans for her.