Disclaimer: Avatar: The Last Airbender belongs to Viacom.

A/N: Takes place at the beginning of Book 1. Thanks go to Som, Daneel, Explodyfaces. and Birdbrainblue.

This chapter has been changed from its original version.

The Last Earthbender

27. Lost and Found

"You're getting sloppy, Zuko."

The prince looked up from his kata, and frowned at his sister. It was a menacing frown, emphasized by the old burn scar that stretched from his cheekbones to his chin.

"How was that sloppy? I did it exactly like I always do!"

"No, you didn't." Azula smirked from her spot seated on the deck. "Your left foot was misaligned, your right sword wasn't drawn in close enough, and your eyes look distracted. A foe could take advantage of that."

Zuko continued to frown. He didn't challenge Azula to do better. He knew her better than that. "I was not distracted!"

"Your lying is similarly sloppy." Azula got to her feet and walked over to her brother. "What's bothering you?"

Zuko ran a hand through his hair. "I… It's just been so long. I wonder if Father has… changed."

"I imagine he has," replied Azula dryly. "Being on the front lines always seems to change people."

"No, I mean… nevermind." Zuko looked away.

Azula shrugged. "Suit yourself. Do you know what you're going to say to him?"

"No," said Zuko softly. "I don't."

"I suggest planning ahead, so you don't make a fool of yourself."

Zuko glared, but before he could reply, a shout came from the ship's helm. "Land! Land ho!"

Zuko and Azula ran to the bow, and indeed, there was a ridge of land on the horizon. "See if you can find a harbor." said Zuko. "It could be the rendezvous point."

"Could be?" wondered Azula. "Or is?"

"What other land could there be, east of the walls?" asked Zuko. "There's nothing but ocean for miles!"

Azula frowned, and bent down to look through the ship's spyglass. "I don't want to waste time disembarking when it's not the right place. Especially because, if you haven't noticed, this would be the perfect location for an ambush."

Zuko looked into the spyglass. Indeed, the island's high fjords could easily hide a fleet of Water Tribe catamarans.

"We should go around, and see if there is a more open place to draw close with the ship," continued Azula. Zuko nodded, though it rankled him that his sister had spotted the danger before he did.

There was a decent beach on the other side, though it was gravelly and rough. Zuko glanced around. The island was mostly jagged, dark rock, sharp as glass and occasionally speckled with small herbs and grasses. It was utterly treeless.

"Charming place," said Azula, before sending some of the crew to look for a water source. "I imagine this will become the next Ember Island."

"Only if the Water Tribes don't take it first," muttered Zuko.

"I doubt they'd find this place interesting," said Azula, and smirked. "Unless they knew it was currently the location of two valuable potential hostages."

The scouting party reported that the island was very small, probably less than a square mile, and that while it had a large hill in its center, it didn't seem to have a source of water or any local population. The siblings determined that to watch for Ozai, they would wait on the island's highest point.

"It makes sense to meet on a deserted island," said Azula, as the two of them and the crew picked their way up the slope of sharp rocks. "After all, Father wouldn't want to risk rumors spreading amongst the local populace of our presence. And most of the habitable islands have long been occupied by refugees. So an uninhabitable island is most prudent."

When they got to the top, Zuko left Lieutenant Jee to direct the crew, saying; "I'm going to survey the island."

"Are you certain you want to go alone?" asked Azula, and when Zuko gave her a look, she continued quietly. "I'm still not convinced that this island is safe from ambush."

"I can take care of myself," growled Zuko.

"Maybe. But it's always safer with two."

Zuko considered this for a moment, then grabbed his twin Dao. Better to be safe.

Zuko rounded a corner, and found himself looking down a steep slope of bare rock, eventually ending in the sea. The slope was broken only by a large bulge, emerging like a tumor from the side of the hill. The rock of the bulge was completely different from the rest of the rock on the island, smooth and dark and reflective. It seemed… off, somehow, and Zuko felt the hairs on the back of his neck rise. What was that?

Cautiously, the fire prince approached the rock. It seemed to be glowing from within, like there was a light inside, but the volcanic glass was too dark and opaque to see what was causing it. He put one hand on the stone. It felt like obsidian, though smoother, like some giant had blown hot magma into a sphere and let it cool. He could almost see something in it that looked vaguely human…

"Zuko? What are you doing?"

The fire prince didn't jump at being startled, but whirled, swords half-drawn. "Oh, Azula." He paused. "I'm just… surveying the island. Reconnaissance."

"Reconnaissance." Azula snorted. "Have you found any evidence of Water Tribe presence, or are you just traipsing about touching rocks?"

"I'm keeping an eye out, Azula."

Azula looked around, taking in the scene. "Hm. Are you certain this is the rendezvous point, Zuko? If it were, Father should already be here."

"He may have been delayed. We'll wait for him." Zuko didn't meet Azula's eyes when he spoke, and instead seemed to be staring over her left shoulder.

"How long?" Azula's voice was sharp. "How long will we wait here on this barren hunk of rock for his arrival?"

"Until he gets here."

Azula groaned audibly, and put a hand to her temple. "Zuko. Brother. Our supplies are limited, and the longer we stay, the more likely we are to be found by hostiles. We cannot camp here more than a few days."

"And if Father comes after that, and finds us gone?" Zuko frowned deeply. "We can't disappoint him."

Azula shook her head. "The sensible course is to set a schedule for our departure."

"Father said he'd be here! Are you saying Father would lie to us?"

The princess sighed. "I'm saying that Father puts the war first, as he should. If he's forced to choose between coming to meet us or staying to see a battle through, you and I both know what his decision would be."

"We could help him in a battle, Azula! That's why we're here!"

"True," said Azula, and smirked. "Well, I could, at least."

Zuko's back went stiff. "I can, too."

"Of course you can," replied Azula, condescension dripping from every word. "Seeing as you can barely firebend." She snorted. "But please, Zuko, Father's only letting you come along and join him out of pity. What tactical advantage could you possibly offer him?"

Zuko sputtered, his hands clenched into fists. "I've been training for years to join Father and- I can firebend!" He sounded almost petulant.

Azula's brow arched. "Then prove it. Show me."

Zuko snarled, and punched forward at Azula. Barely a flicker of fire came out.

For a moment, both siblings simply stared at his fist. Then, Azula burst out laughing.

"Pathetic! And you think Father wants you by his side!"

"Stop laughing! He does! And even if I can't… I can fight, Azula! I can and I will!" Zuko gestured angrily, and as he did, a massive gout of flame roared out from his hands. But, it went the wrong way, behind him, burning the side of the obsidian boulder. The prince didn't seem to notice.

"I can fight, and I will make Father proud of me!"

Azula raised her eyebrows with interest as Zuko fireblasted the rock again, watching the volcanic glass begin to crack and melt under the heat.

"So what if I- if I'm not a prodigy who makes blue fire? I will help father to end the war, whether you think I can or NOT!"

This time, the fire Zuko made engulfed the boulder entirely, and a crack in its side split open with an ear-shattering shriek of breaking glass and a hiss of hot air escaping. The blast threw Zuko and Azula to the ground as shards of obsidian clattered around them.

And then, light.