I do not own Avatar.
Enjoy!
South Pole
"You seem rather quiet this morning Aang. Is something the matter?"
Gyatso had prepared breakfast for the both of them this morning and was about to pour tea for them both. But Aang seemed distracted.
"It's just- I had a dream last night."
Gyatso's eyebrow raised. "Really? What was in this dream?"
"I saw someone. The same spirit from when I went into the Spirit World."
Gyatso almost faltered, but he kept his composure.
"Aang, what did you learn from this dream?"
"She gave me her name. She's called Raava."
Gyatso dropped his teapot.
Earth Kingdom
When Zuko was practicing his firebending with uncle Iroh and the Sun Warriors, one lesson that had been constantly drilled into him was the importance of patience and restraint. He wasn't going to say he was good at it (ask anybody), but he knew the basic principle.
Fire was the element of life, of passion. But passion could turn into rage, and fire could easily become an instrument of destruction. To prevent this, a firebender needed to be in control of themself. They needed to avoid fighting it was necessary, and even then, they must never unleash fires full power. Doing so could not only kill the opponent but harm the user as well.
"Do you know how to fight?"
But it was becoming increasingly more difficult to remain in control. Aside from Azula, Zuko couldn't think of any other kid he had ever wanted to throw a small fire at.
"Where are you guys going?"
"Maybe a slightly larger fire."
Zuko took a breath to steady himself. The kid was getting on his nerves, but he wasn't about to lose his temper over this. He and his uncle were helping a man fix the roof of his bar. They were nailing on boards to make up the roof. That's all that mattered. Swinging a hammer, and hitting in nails.
"Hey, how'd you get that scar?"
"That's enough Lee," the kid's father, Gansu, finally spoke up. "Stop asking personal questions. If they don't want to talk about anything, you shouldn't force them."
"Oh, it's quite alright," Iroh said, working effectively while Zuko struggled. "The boy is just curious. It's just that my nephew doesn't like to talk about his past."
"And that's alright. Most folks don't want to talk about what hurts them," Gansu said sagely. He obviously had experience in that area. "Lee, leave him alone. If he doesn't want to talk, let him work."
"Fine, I'll go see if that girl you came with is any more fun."
As Lee left, Zuko imagined how him trying to have a conversation with Toph would go.
He didn't like what he was imagining.
"Stop chickening out! Are you an Earthbender or not?!"
"I don't know! That's why I asked!"
Lee was on the ground, converted in more dirt, and seemingly begging for the release of death. Above him, Toph stood on a podium she had made. She looked down at Lee with an impatient look.
This was not exactly what Zuko was expecting when he came to find them after finishing the work on the roof. But it wasn't too far either.
"Trying to see if he's an Earthbender?"
"Keyword is trying. I thought teaching him some moves would be more fun than helping his mom with chores. But he doesn't have any talent."
"Hey!"
"Don't get mad at me for telling the truth. But if you want to prove me wrong, why don't you try getting up?"
Emboldened by the insults of an eleven-year-old blind girl, Lee lifted himself from the ground. He planted his feet in the dirt, and took in a deep breath.
"Alright rock-mouth, just do what I showed you."
"Rock-mouth?" Zuko asked in a whisper to Toph.
"Cause of the teeth. I could hear them when we met him."
Zuko was going to say something about how offensive that might be, but he was distracted by seeing the kid try to Earthbend. Try to Earthbend. He was doing the moves (decently at best), but no rocks were moving.
"Ugh! My brother is an Earthbender. Why can't I do it?"
"Maybe it's just him," Zuko suggested. "Aren't families of benders pretty rare?"
"Don't say that!" Lee suddenly shouted. The outburst surprised both Zuko and Toph.
"My brother is out there fighting the Fire Nation! I want to help him! But they won't let me help him if I'm not a bender!"
Hearing that, Zuko started feeling guilty. He might not like the kid very much, but he didn't want him to die. But because of the war his family started, Lee might not have a chance to live. Neither would his brother.
Unless...
"Are you connected to the earth?"
Lee turned to Zuko. "What?"
"If you want to move the earth, you have to feel connected to it. That's how bending works."
"How do you know?"
Zuko just raised an eyebrow. "I'm traveling with her. You think I haven't heard any of this before?"
"Oh. That makes sense. Say, I noticed you have some swords. Do you think...?"
"No."
"What? I didn't even get to..."
"No. Your mom told me to get you all. Food is ready."
"Sweet," Toph said as she dropped her podium and followed. Lee followed as well, except he had a pout.
A grin formed when he came up with a plan.
Inside the barn, the three travelers were sleeping. Everything seemed fine, and they seemed ready to leave in the morning.
The disturbance came when some walked into the barn and tiptoed over to the traveler's supplies. The intruder grabbed the pair of swords and walked out again.
Toph, who had her feet lifted from the ground, dropped them rolled over to Zuko.
"He stole your swords."
"I know."
"Do you want to do something about it?"
"I'm tired. No."
"He might hurt himself."
"And?"
"You'll get blamed. I thought you wanted to stay out of trouble?"
"Ugh," Zuko groaned as he lifted himself up. "You're getting the next one."
Zuko walked out of the barn and went to find Lee. He saw him stabbing a scarecrow.
He got those swords when he passed Master Piandao's tests. And this kid was stabbing a bag of hay.
"You're doing it wrong."
"AHH!" Lee yelled as he dropped the swords. He turned around. "How long have you been standing there?
"Long enough to notice that you don't know how to use swords."
"Give me a break. I've never used any before." Lee started pouting. He thought he was being made fun of.
"I can tell. I also don't think that using Dao swords is a good place to start. They're a bit advanced."
"I guess you know how to use them then."
"Obviously. I trained in them. Look."
Zuko picked up the swords and started some basic movements that Master Paindao had shown him.
"The key is to not think of the blades as separate weapons. They're not. They're both two parts of the same weapon."
Zuko bought both swords together and held them in one hand. Then he handed them to Lee.
"Try them."
The kid's face lit up. He happily took the swords and started swinging them again. Expect this time, he was imitating Zuko's moves, so his attempts were less frustrating to look at.
He nodded at the boy.
"Do you really have to go?"
"Yes, we do. We told you, we're only staying until we can get some food."
"Didn't you say you were also looking for money?"
Zuko rolled his eyes. "Goodbye Lee."
The kid looked downtrodden. When he walked away, he did so without the usual excitement.
"Way to go Sparky. I think you broke him."
"What? He was annoying me."
"Zuko. That is no way to deal with people that annoy you. The best way to accept someone is to treat them with kindness."
Zuko frowned when he heard that. He didn't want to make a habit of being nice to every person they came across. It sounded like too much work.
But he figured he should do something about Lee, otherwise, his uncle (and maybe Toph. Maybe) wouldn't let him live it down. But he was already riding away. It might be awkward to just get off and go talk to the kid.
Unless...
"Hey, kid! Catch!"
Zuko pulled something from his shirt and tossed it towards Lee.
"What is...? OW!"
The knife (which was sheathed) flew in the air and the hilt smacked Lee on his forehead.
"Sorry! It's a knife. For you. Bye!"
Zuko kicked his Ostrich-Horse to make it go faster. That was not supposed to happen.
Lee, meanwhile, unsheathed the knife as he rubbed his head.
"Never give up without a fight. Huh."
"I can't believe you threw a knife at him!"
Toph's non-stop laughter was beginning to get on Zuko's nerves. The fact that Uncle Iroh looked mirthful wasn't helping.
"It was sheathed!"
"Is that what you do on birthdays? Just throw people's presents at them? Cause if so, you're invited to my next one."
Zuko decided to stop talking to anyone. Once they got to the cave, Zuko would spend his time with a more pleasant company.
"Druk, we're here! You can... Umph!"
Druk tackled Zuko the moment he came into view. He didn't even have a chance to utter a greeting before the growing dragon jumped on him and started licking his face.
"Druk, calm down! I'm happy to see you too, but could you let me breathe first?"
"He is just happy to see you nephew. We have been gone for more than a day."
"That reminds me, we should probably check if there is any living wildlife left in that cave," Toph said. "I mean, I doubt it, but there's a chance."
"I will go with him to check," Iroh said, staring intently at the dragon. "He cannot hold secret from me. If any creatures are alive, I will find them."
Iroh and Druk walked into the cave. Neither Zuko nor Toph could tell how long he would be in there.
"I guess we can get ready to leave. As soon as they're out..."
"Someone's coming," Toph suddenly said. Zuko turned to her.
"From where?"
"Right behind us. If you don't want to bend, I'd suggest using those swords of yours."
Zuko took note of her suggestion, but he decided to just grab a hold of the hilt. He would wait until he saw who was coming before he made a move.
He was glad he waited because the person running up to them was not Gow or his soldiers. It was Lee's mom. Wasn't Sela her name?
She ran straight to them and fell on her knees. She had clearly run straight to them.
"I'm so happy I found you. I need your help."
"What happened?" Toph asked.
"After you left Gow came to the house. He told Gansu that our son died in battle. Gansu felt that he had to leave, so he went to the army registration office. But while he was gone, the soldiers came back. They wanted to rob us! Lee pulled a knife on them and... I don't been know where he got this!"
Sela dropped the knife on the floor. The same blade Zuko had given Lee.
"I know its selfish. I know I barely know any of you. But I don't have any other options. I don't want want to lose my son. I don't... I can't..."
"We'll get your son back."
Zuko picked up the knife and got on the Ostrich-Horse.
"Care to join me?" Zuko asked Toph. The younger girl grinned.
"You bet!"
Toph jumped on to the Ostrich-Horse, and they made their way to the town. Sela followed behind them from a distance. They had some annoying soldiers to take care of.
As they left, they failed to notice the old man and young dragon walking out of the cave.
"Where did everyone go?"
Druk's response was to sneeze fire.
"That is not a helpful response Druk."
"Let me go! I didn't do anything!"
"Shut up kid. We all know that's a lie."
The soldiers had Lee tied up to a post. They intended to wait until the next recruitment officer for the army came by so they could just hand the kid off. Have one less annoyance to deal with.
"Hey, boss. Look over there."
All the soldiers, Gow included, turned to see two people riding into the town on an Ostrich-Horse. It was the two kids who came the day before.
"You kids shouldn't be out on your own. Where's that grandpa of yours?"
Neither of them said anything. They just stopped at a post to level their ride, and then got off.
"We can take them," Toph said as she cracked her knuckles.
"Actually Toph. I want to do this alone."
"What? But...?"
"I want to see if I'm any good at fighting with Earthbending. I'll let you tag in if it gets too hairy."
Not giving Toph a chance to respond, Zuko started walking towards the soldiers. He made sure to show no fear as he did.
Gow took exception to that.
"Not about to waste my time on another kid. Take care of him."
One of the soldiers, the one with the spear, charged at Zuko. In response, the scarred boy quickly took out his swords and sliced the weapon. Stunned without his weapon, the soldier was unable to react when Zuko lifted a rock from the earth and smacked his face. He went flying back, one of his teeth sailing above him.
"What are you waiting for? Get him!"
Another guard came up with his spear. This time, Zuko dodged it. Instead of breaking it, Zuko decided to just disarm the man. He then threw out his feet and made him fall on his back. Zuko didn't even have to use any earthbending to make him run away.
When the third guy came, Zuko didn't even bother with taking n the spear. He just threw out the ground underneath him, making the man lose his balance and throw his weapon. Weaponless, the man ran away.
That left only Gow.
"Why'd you have to go and attack my men? You're going to leave the people here defenseless."
Gow was trying to get under Zuko's skin. Make him feel guilty for taking out the men who were supposed to guard people against the Fire Nation.
But that wouldn't work. Zuko knew better.
"They weren't getting protection from you anyway. You and yours aren't soldiers, you aren't guards. You're just a bunch of freeloaders in uniform who let your power get to your heads."
Gow glared at him. "Is that so?"
Gow took his hammers from his belt. He held them out in a fighting stance.
"You think you're any better?"
In response, Zuko pulled out his own swords. He came for a fight, so he was ready.
Gow sent the first strike. He hit the ground with one hammer, lifting up a rock. With the other hammer, he launched it at Zuko.
Zuko used his blades to cut the swords to pieces. The resulting pebbles and dust fell to the ground.
When he did that, Zuko was surprised to hear cheers coming from his side.
"He's got him!"
"They're finally going to get what's coming to them!"
"Hit him with a left!"
"This is a fistfight."
"He's got a left sword, doesn't he?"
Growling, Gow launched more rocks at Zuko. Zuko dodged the rocks that he could, and he sliced the ones that he couldn't.
"Why do you keep fighting? You've got nothing to win here kid."
"Neither do you. Why do you keep fighting?"
"If you think I'm going to sit back and let a kid insult me," Gow said as he struck the ground with both hammers. I large boulder materialized after that. "You've got another thing coming."
Zuko clenched his fists around his swords. This was an attack he would have to face head-on. And break.
Gow launched the boulder.
Zuko planted his feet and waited for it to hit him. He knew he would be able to break it. He was confident in his ability. He could beat a rock.
He waited for it to get closer as he tightened his grip on his swords.
*Crush*
Only for the rock to explode before it reached him.
"Huh?"
"Step aside Sparky. I'm bored, and I want to hit someone."
"T- Luanshi! I said I'd handle this!"
"Yeah, I know. I heard you then. But I'm bored. And I already took out three guys. Let me deal with him."
"Excuse me?" Gow smirked condescendingly as he walked closer to the two. "You expect me to water my time fighting some defenseless little blind girl? Why you must both think I'm some sort of joke..."
Gow never got much further than that.
The moment Toph heard the word "defenseless", she moved one arm in a swift motion. The earth rumbled for a moment. A pillar of rock popped out of the ground, and it hit Gow straight in the chest. He flew back several feet, hitting his back on one of the local houses. He passed out on the floor.
"Yes. I do think you're a joke. Loser."
"Nice one," Zuko said as he passed Toph and walked to the post Lee was tied up to. His mother had already walked up to him.
"Lee!"
"Give me some space for a moment," Zuko said as he prepared one of his swords. With one quick swipe, he cut Lee from the restraints.
"Nice," Lee said as he stretched his limbs. He was only able to enjoy his new freedom for a few seconds before his mom enveloped him in a tight hug.
"I'm so happy you're alright. I don't know what I'd do if I lost you!"
Zuko purposely looked away from the scene. Seeing a mother with her son... it bought memories he didn't want to think about.
Toph noticed the sudden change in his mood and looked at him. "Hey Sparky, are you alright? I..."
Toph's eyes suddenly widened. "Look Out!"
Zuko turned around just in time to see Gow, who had just gotten up, swing his hammer. A large rock was now moving directly towards Zuko's face.
There was no time to dodge. And Zuko had already sheathed his swords, leaving him without a weapon to use.
Toph had her hand ready. She intended to grab the rock before it hit Zuko.
That's when they both felt something hot pass them by.
A ball of fire hit the rock, causing it to veer off track and land on the floor. Iroh came into town on his Ostrich-Horse, standing in between his nephew, his teacher, and Gow.
"Leave this town. Stop your assault on these people and my family. I do not wish to fight."
Gow could only look at Iroh in surprise.
"You-you're a..."
"Do not make me repeat myself again. Leave! Now!"
Gow instead gulped and held his hammers tighter. "You're from the Fire Nation. You're here to hurt everyone. My job is to stop you!"
Iroh remained calm. "If that were true, the people would not cheer to see your soldiers beaten."
Gow got into a fighting stance. "They'll cheer even more once I kill you, Firebender!"
Gow started an assault on Iroh. He launched as many rocks as he could, a ceaseless barrage to tire him out and hopefully hit him.
But Iroh was too smart and too experienced to fall to such a tactic. He had fought generals of the Earth Kingdom. He would not fail against a single overconfident town guard.
Iroh used his fire to redirect the rocks. he never used more power than necessary, and he made sure not to miss a single projectile. His breath was steady, and his body still had energy. But Gow was desperate, and he was running out.
When Gow dropped a hammer to catch a breath, Iroh took his chance. He sent a blast of fire from his fist, aiming it directly at Gow's chest.
Gow tried to form a pillar to protect himself, but it didn't work. It was formed to slow, and Gow's low energy meant that the stone wasn't strengthened enough. The fire blast tore straight through the defense.
"Ah!" Gow exclaimed as he was launched several feet back. His shirt was in tatters, and his chest was teaming. But there were no burns on his skin.
"That was a warning shot. I will not be so merciful again. Now Go!"
Panicking, Gow wasn't even able to pick up his weapons as he ran away. He made sure to get out of sight as he ran out of the town. Once he was gone, Iroh took a deep calming breath and turned to his traveling companions.
"Are you two alright?"
Zuko was the one to speak up. "We're fine Uncle. But what are you doing here?"
Iroh smiled. "Did you honestly believe I would leave my fa..."
Iroh was cut off when a rock hit his head. But it wasn't thrown by a bender.
The three of them looked to see the townsfolk waving and shouting at them angrily.
"He's a Firebender!"
"Those two, they must be half-breeds! That's why they're with him!"
"They're here to kill us all!"
Zuko and Toph's eyes widened, while Iroh only looked crestfallen. They had just saved this town from bullies who were tormenting them, and now they were being treated like the villains.
"You should go."
Zuko turned to see Sela guarding her son. Lee couldn't even look at them.
"But..."
"They won't forgive any firebenders. You should go."
"She is right nephew. We should go."
"But uncle..."
"We have done enough."
The three of them got on their Ostrich-Horses while the crowd to jeer at them. They rode out of town until the remarks were no longer audible.
The group was quiet as they got further and further from the town. None of them knew what to say about what happened.
"They're wrong you know."
Iroh turned to Toph. This was the first thing she had said ever since they left the town.
"Everyone said you were a monster. But they're wrong. You're not."
Iroh smiled softly. He wished he could agree with her. He really, truly did. But he didn't.
Zuko, meanwhile, reached into his pocket. The knife he had tried to give Lee was still there. A gift he probably wouldn't take anymore. All because they were firebenders.
All he could do, all they could all do, was keep moving.
I hope the fight turned out well. Bending fights, as it turns out, is not my expertise. But I hope I did just well enough for it to be entertaining.
Also, Zuko leaves the village with people having a positive perception of him. Though I can't say the same about their new view on Iroh. We'll see how that affects the team.
(I still need a name for Zuko's group. Any ideas?)
Also, one of the reviews suggested that I have Zuko use both the bending forms he knows in order for someone to hear about an Avatar. I thought about it, but I decided to hold off on any Fire Nation chases for the time being. But don't worry, the secret will get out.
Anyway, please leave reviews, and I will see you all next time.
Bye!