Zuko No Shugotenshi: An Avatar Ghost Story

By: Evil Retasu-Chan

Chapter VII: The Rivalry of Agni and Ganga

(Agni is the god of fire in Hindu religion. Ganga is water, I believe... I did some research on it! Now, I'm not sure if Agni and Ganga even knew each other, let alone rivaled... I don't know that much, really. And I probably messed up the Jeong Jeong quote...

Also, school's almost out for me, so expect a ton A TON of updates 'cause I now have so much free time!)

"Water is cool, calm. The symbol of life,

While fire is heat, and leaves only destruction in it's path.

I just wish that I could get away from this burning curse..."

-Jeong Jeong, Avatar: The Last Airbender Book One, Chapter Sixteen: The Deserter

Kaiden smiled, grabbing Katara's wrist, then noticed Appa. She then 'said',

W.H.A.T. I.S. T.H.A.T.?

"Oh, Appa! C'mon, Kaiden!"

Kaiden was then tugged on by Katara, sending her on top of Appa. Katara tried again to heal the bison, hearing the sound of soldiers behind her.

"Zuko..." She muttered, trying again to heal Appa, this time, showing results. "Yes!"She then looked up at the animal. "Can you fly, Appa?" In a reply, the ten ton bison grunted, and seemed to nod. The waterbender smiled, got up on the creature, and said, "Kaiden, we're going to start flying. Grab a hold of something."

The spirit did as she was told, grabbing onto a part of the saddle, and taking a deep breath.

"Yip-yip!"

Appa jumped up, starting to float, up in the air. Kaiden looked around, smiling. Wow... The sights were wonderful, though she didn't get the wind through her hair, or the sensation of being above the ground. Katara spotted Aang's glider, and let Appa sail down to the Avatar and her brother.

"Katara!" Sokka called, looking up at the bison. Aang looked up, seeing it, and brought his glider up to his pet and friend. He and Sokka landed on the saddle, notifying Appa to turn around and soar upward, northward. Aang saw a hint of blue in the corner of his eye, and looked over, seeing Kaiden. He blinked, rubbed his eyes, then realized she was real. Kaiden saw him staring at her, blinked, and said, "You're... the Avatar, right?" Aang nodded, going over to the light-blue girl.

"Damn it..." Zuko muttered, seeing the bison fly away. He sent some fire at a tree in frustration, turning back to his ship, glaring. Iroh was looking worriedly around, as if searching for something... "What is it, Uncle?" "Nothing, nothing, Prince Zuko." Iroh said, smiling in that wise way.

"My name's Kaiden. I... I was sent to help someone." Kaiden said, thankful that someone could see him.

"Who?" The Avatar asked, cheerful though he had just escaped from almost being captured. Kaiden thought for a moment. "You know him... Probably see him at least once a week." She said. Her mother had always had a fondness for riddles. "And I think I need to tell you a story about him..."

"Once, not too long ago, the young man was happy, and smiled. But then one day, he wanted to see his father while he was working. At first they didn't let him go, but his uncle convinced them to let him come see his father. Well, his father was a powerful, evil ruler, but the boy was taught that his father was good. That's why they were hesitant to let him see his father while he worked. The soldiers in the room were listening to one's plan, which was to sacrifice a whole team of new recruits just so that a more experienced team could sneak up on them-"

"Gross!" Aang couldn't help but say. It WAS gross, killing soldiers like that.

"-That's what the boy said, well, his words were, 'You can't kill innocent soldiers like that! Those people love and defend our country!' Of course, the boy had spoken out of place, so his father was very angry at him. He said that they must fight for his honor. The boy, of course, thought he would be fighting the general, but he was wrong..."

"That day, at sunset, it was time for the duel. He stood up, turning to face his opponent. It was not the general, but his own father. The boy became scared, bowed to his father, saying that he just could NOT fight his father. He was his loyal son, he wouldn't fight. The evil man came to his son, telling him to rise and fight for his honor, but the boy refused. And as he looked up to his father, tears in his eyes, his father used his bending to scar the boy, banishing him from his country, never to return... until, that is, he captured the Avatar. That was two years ago, while you were still in the iceberg. The father didn't want his son back, ever. That's why the boy, who's now more of a man than his father will ever be, doesn't smile anymore."

Aang stared at Kaiden, then muttered, quietly, "Zuko? Is that him?" Kaiden nodded, then said, "Zuko would be a powerful ally, but he doesn't know that his father is evil... He wants a home."

Kaiden had a plan. Zuko would need to side with the Avatar to be truly happy, because he would know what he was doing was right. But, how? He needed someone close to him, to tell him that his father was evil. But he'd have to trust that person more than himself to believe him...

Love. That's it. She had seen people in her village, who would gladly go to war, knowing they were going to protect their love. That's it. But, who's the perfect girl for Zuko? Hmm...

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

-Prince Zuko of the Fire Nation

Book One of Water, Episode Three: The Southern Air Temple