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Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar the last airbender!
Aang climbed out first than prince Zuko. "Did you get the supplies you needed?"Iroh asked.
"Yes. Lets just get out of here."said Zuko said starting at a tree darkly. They walked back to shore and into the boat Iroh and some men had come they got the fuel and took off. Once they got to the boat Aang and his friends were sent back to their room.
"So what happened out there?"Sokka asked.
"We saw another one of those things. It looked like you Sokka. Anyway for a while we got trapped down a whole. You know I don't think Zuko is such a bad guy."Aang said.
"Yeah and Momos' not really a lemur he's the prince of the water tribe."said Sokka sarcastically.
"Really?"said Aang. Sokka smacked his head.
"I was being sarcastic."Sokka muttered.
"What do you mean Aang? He's been trying to kidnap you since we first met you!"said Katara.
"I don't know I mean think about it. He's prince of the fire nation why is he out looking for me? That Zhao guy is looking for me. It doesn't add up."said Aang.
"Well...it's just a rumor now. But I heard that Prince Zuko was banished."said Sokka.
"Banished?"said Katara. Sokka nodded.
"That's what I got from some earth benders a few days ago anyway."
"So if he captures Aang than he might be welcomed back...Now that I think about it that day when I stole the water bending scroll he told me he was trying to get back his honor."Katara said. Sokka nodded.
"I wonder what he did to get himself banished."said Aang. Well look at that temper of his. It's not hard to think of ways. He probably fried a general or something."said Sokka. It was late and they decided to go to bed. Aang couldn't deep in thought. Aang sat up and took the small red jewel out of his pocket looking at it.
Flash Back
"Kuzon wait up!"Aang said laughing running after his friend. They were in the fire nation. Aang had been taken there with one of the monks for a small visit. Kuzon was his age and he laughed and let out a jet of fire at Aang which Aang blocked.
"We will always be friends...wont we Aang? Even if you are the Avatar."Kuzon said sitting down next to Aang underneath a tree.
"Of course!"said Aang with a laugh. Kuzon smiled his brown eyes lighting up but than he frowned.
"I've been...going through a rough time Aang. I think something awful is going to happen soon. Here I want you to hold on to this for me."said Kuzon reaching into his pocket and taking out a small red jewel.
"What is it?"asked Aang.
"It's the jewel of fire."said Kuzon staring at it.
"Jewel of fire?"asked Aang.
"It is very important to the fire nation and I'm trusting you to take care of it. Only for a little while though. You have to give it back to me the next time you see me all right? It's really important Aang."Kuzon said. Aang laughed and took the jewel. and tossed it into the air and caught it than placed it in his pocket.
"You can count on me Kuzon!"said Aang. Kuzon smiled.
"But why are you giving it to me?"Aang asked.
"Some men are after it. I know it will be safe with you and that you will return it next time I see you. Wont you Aang?"Kuzon said.
"Of course. You can count on me!"said Aang.
End flash back
Aang shook his head. He needed fresh air. He walked over to the door quietly and did a swift movement with his hand. The door un-locked. Aang crept out carefully and tiptoed on deck. He was quite surprised to find Prince Zuko there. Staring out into the ocean all alone. Aang was about to turn back but he had to sneeze. "ACHOO!" he sneezed and floated ten feet in the air. Zuko turned around looking alarmed. Aang floated back down.
"How did you get out?"said Zuko.
"Oh it was easy."Aang said. Zuko blinked. "I'm not trying to escape if that's what your thinking. There is no point of escaping. I mean I don't know where we are and I don't know how to get Appa free. I just needed some fresh air."said Aang.
"I don't believe you!"said Zuko sending a jet of fire shoot past Aang. Aang blinked.
"Believe what you want."Aang said. Prince Zuko stared at Aang strangely. "Why are you looking at me like that? Do I have something on my face-am I growing hair?"said Aang feeling his head nervously.
"Your pants are glowing."said Zuko shortly. Aang looked down. his left pocket was glowing a bright red. Aang blinked and reached in and took the jewel out. This was a mistake. A huge beam of red light shot from the jewel into the sky producing an impossible amount of light and made everything glow red. Zuko stared mouth open.
"Um..."said Aang and the light slowly died and Aang stared at it.
"What is that?"Zuko said walking over to Aang.
"It's something my friend gave me a long time ago. Than I lost it than one of those things on that island gave it back to me."Aang said. Zuko looked confused.
"Can I look at it?"Zuko asked.
"I guess so. I mean it does belong to the fire nation."Aang said dropping the jewel in Zuko's hand.
A look of surprise spread over Zuko's face as he looked over the jewel. "If this is what I think it is...but it can't be it's been missing for years..."Zuko said.
"My friend called it the jewel of fire. Does it mean something to you?"Aang asked. Zuko's eyes widened. "You- you of all people don't know what this is?"Zuko asked. "No do you?"Aang asked.
"About 2000 years ago the four nations first formed thanks to the first Avatar. Before that The benders were all mixed. Now they were separate and things were much more peaceful. The Avatars job was to keep things in order. The Avatar gave each nation something of importance to represent their nation. The objects he gave each nation were very magical and important and gave power to them in case the Avatar ever failed to keep peace the artifacts would help defend the nations.The avatar gave the water nation a golden fountain full of magical water, the earth nation a magical crystal, the air nation a golden feather, and the fire nation a jewel. The first three nations in time lost the magical gifts. The fire nation however managed to keep the jewel of fire safe until it went missing 100 years ago."Zuko explained. Aang sat in mute shock.
"Alright so it's an old magical artifact but...all the nations seem to be doing well with out them."Aang said. Zuko looked down at the jewel.
"Except for the fact that they are all under the fire nations control and the air benders are completely wiped out!"Zuko said.
"That's the fire nations fault!"Aang snapped.
"Yes. But if they still had their artifacts they would be able to defend themselves better. It really is a stroke of luck the artifacts are lost. And now that you have given me the jewel of fire the fire nation can be twice as strong! This will make a great gift for my father."said Zuko. Aang looked stunned.
"What? No give it back!"yelled Aang reaching for the jewel but Zuko but it safely away. "You can't do this! What the fire nation is doing isn't right and you know it!"Aang yelled. Guards came out.
"Prince Zuko whats going on we heard yelling! What was that light?"Asked one of the guards.
"Take the Avatar back to his room."Zuko said not meeting Aang's eye.
"YOU CAN'T DO THIS! IT'S NOT RIGHT! Think about it! Look how powerful the fire nation is! If you add more innocent people will get killed! No one should have that kind of power! If what you said about all those Artifacts is true than they were meant to protect not to destroy!"Aang yelled as two guards grabbed his arms and dragged him back to the room. They threw him in and shut the door. Sokka sat up groggily.
"Yes...I'd like some cheese on that."he grumbled and laid back down. Katara sat up rubbing her eyes.
"What happened?"she asked. Aang told her and the half asleep Sokka what had happened.
"I think I remember gram gram telling us about an ancient fountain. But it's just a myth now."Katara said.
"So let me get this straight."said Sokka with a yawn. "That tiny itty bitty jewel thing will make the fire nation even more powerful if Ozai gets his greedy little paws on it?"Sokka asked.
"pretty much."said Aang.
"Great. Perfect! Another thing to put on our to do list. Alright Aang if and I mean if you actually get Zuko to teach you fire bending you also have to get the jewel off him and for the record we have about a week before we hit the fire nation. So you have 1 week to turn Zuko around. It's impossible. I say we get out of here and start a new plan."Sokka said.
"Sokka we can't! Aang can do this. I know he can! We just need to have faith."said Katara. Sokka grumbled and turned over and started to snore a minute later.
"Katara I don't know how I'm going to do this. I'm not sure I can."Aang said frowning.
"You can do this Aang. I know you can. Your the Avatar! Your supposed to bring peace to people and show them the right path. Well start working on Zuko. If he's going to be the fire lord some day not only do you want him to teach you fire bending and to get the jewel but you want to change his views completely around."said Katara.
"You mean turn him against the fire lord?"said Aang. Katara nodded.
"But Katara that's his father!"cried Aang.
"I think you could do it. I mean why should Zuko stay loyal to someone who banished him?"Katara said.
"But Prince Zuko is stubborn- and he's not stupid. It's going to take a lot of work."Aang said. Katara smiled.
"You like challenges though."she said. Aang smiled and they went to bed.
"Prince Zuko this jewel can be very dangerous. I think it would be best if it remained un-found."said Iroh frowning talking to his nephew the next day.
"Are you insane uncle? This is great! My father will have to take me back now! Not only do I have the avatar I have the jewel of fire!"said Zuko. Iroh looked into the deep ocean and frowned. His brother would have no choice but to take Zuko back and that's what Iroh was afraid of. Ozai had a permanent grudge against Zuko and nothing was going to change that. Ozai was corrupt with power and was ruthless and cruel and what ever love for Zuko he had had was now put away and forgotten. Iroh knew Ozai deep down cared for Zuko but he feared that love would only come out if Zuko was near death. Iroh shook his head. Things would not go well. Ozai had made up his mind a long time ago; he would never let Zuko become fire lord.
"Uncle?"said Zuko.
"Sorry Prince Zuko I was just lost in thought."said Iroh giving his nephew a warm smile. Zuko smiled back. Iroh couldn't destroy the boy's hope and could only hope that Ozai would forgive...but that was a lost cause.
"How long will it be until we reach the fire nation? I want to get there as soon as possible!"Zuko said.
"It should be about a week with no stops."said Iroh.
"Excellent."said prince Zuko.
"Prince Zuko come quick something is wrong with one of the prisoners."said one of Zuko's men. Zuko sighed.
"What now?"he muttered. What could possibly be wrong with them?
