~Siege of the North (Part 1)~
Ryuu POV
"This will truly be one for the history books, General Iroh. Just think, centuries from now, people will study the great Admiral Zhao, who destroyed the last of the Water Tribe civilization. You're lucky you're here to see it."
Zhao ignored my presence as he marched from one corner of the room to the other. He proceeded to barge past me, knocking me to my knees. Oh, I hated him. Iroh grimmaced but restrained himself. Zhao sneered out of the window at our approaching destination. I had never been this far North, so stared in awe at the glistening snow buildings. The way Zhao kept going on about how easily he would win.
Personally, I wasn't so sure. The architecture was solidly built and impressive...
"Be careful what you wish for, Admiral. History is not always kind to its subjects," Iroh warned.
Zhao frowned and turned on Iroh, "I suppose you speak from experience, but rest assured. This will be nothing like your legendary failure at Ba Sing Se."
Yes, I wanted to smack him. But I gritted my teeth and just stood at the window.
"I hope not, for your sake," Iroh noted the Admiral's narcissism. I bit my cheek linings in an attempt to not speak out.
When I was little, I had been told stories about the brave Water Tribes who could tame storms and control waterfalls. They had a strong connection to the moon and sea spirits who swam in a sacred pool and had given up immortality for thie tribes.
They had amazed me. But now I was actually looking at a Water Tribe city - I was utterly awe-struck. I was snapped from my admiration by Zhao, who snapped his fingers harshly right next to my ear.
"Tell the captains to prepare for first strike," Zhao orderd me. I stood there, ignoring his command. He became white faced in fury. I tightened my grip on my Ji, incase Zhao went to hurt me. He raised a fist but I spoke first.
"I am not taking orders from you. Only from Iroh."
Iroh told me to scuttle off and warn the captains of the first strike. I didn't want to. The snow city looked too beautiful to destroy, but Zhao clipped the back of my head - for insolence he said. I ran off while rubbing the incoming bruise. On the way to the radio room, I crashed into Zuko. Initially I paniced and bowed repeatedly incase it was a genuine warrior, until he took out his faceplate.
"Ryuu. It's me. What's happening? "
I studied his bruised and cut face, "First strike is soon. Go to the lifeboats and get changed. Iroh and I will meet you there."
He bit his bottom lip and replaced his mask. We went our separate ways. I ran back to the Command tower as fast as I could - Zhao was waiting expectantly. A barrage of Fireballs battered the beautiful city. It was a great shame. I felt so bad just standing by and letting this happen: but if I did anything I would've been killed for treachery and/ or treason.
The first assult was complete, but night was drawing in fast.
"It's almost twilight, Admiral. As your military consultant, I must advise you to halt your attack. As waterbenders draw their power from the moon, and it is nearly full tonight. You should wait and resume the attack at daybreak. "
Zhao's face rippled with an unreadable expression. He clasped his hands firmly behind his back.
"Oh, I'm well aware of the moon problem and I am working on a solution. But for now, daybreak it is."
Whatever it was. It was probably purest evil. I had a theory that Zhao was going to go after the spirits that - according to legend - lived in the centre of the city. It was a crazy idea so dismissed it. Who in their right mind would do that? Only an idiot with no brain would. Everyone knows that if you kill a spirit something bad happens; a curse is placed apon you. Especially with holy spirits. Like the moon and sea.
We were dismissed to our rooms for the night, but Iroh and I had other plans. We slipped out to the lifeboat bay and were met with Zuko winding up a rope. He had changed into a fully white suit made for hunting in the snow. Zuko's hunting expedition was of a different kind.
"If you're fishing for an octopus my nephew, you need a tightly woven net, or he will squeeze through the tiniest hole and escape."
Zuko grunted and yanked his hood down, "I don't need your wisdom right now, Uncle."
I stepped back and let Iroh walk to Zuko. Self-consciously, I tried to stay out of the emotions behind me. I focused on sorting out the lifeboat and getting it to its correct position over the sea.
"I'm sorry. I just nag you, because ... well, ever since I lost my son .."
Iroh's voice started to break. It was also affecting Zuko, who stopped Iroh, " Uncle, you don't have to say it."
" ... I think of you as my own," Iroh finished. He pulled his unwilling Nephew into a hug.
"I know, Uncle. We'll meet again," Zuko pulled out of the hug but his face was cracking with the wieght of emotion, "After I have the Avatar."
I tugged my mouth into a lop-sided grin, "Stay safe, Princess."
Then, just for good luck, I kissed his cheek - I had to go on top toes to reach. His skin was warm and surprisingly soft. When I pulled back, he touched the spot with two fingers before viciously pulling up his hood to cover the blush spreading over his cheeks. Iroh wiped his cheeks as we helped lower the boat Zuko had gotten into.
"Remember your breath of fire. It could save your life out there."
Zuko stared up at us, " I will."
"And put your hood up. Keep your ears warm!" Iroh called after him as he hit the water, going into mother - mode. Zuko pulled his facial covering up and over his nose.
"I'll be fine!" He unclipped the boat and started paddling out towards the Northern shoreline. It shone in the moonlight, as did the sea. The light danced and disguised Zuko well. He looked just like an iceberg as he paddled off. The night was unusually still, as if anticipating something big.
I sighed and under my breath muttered, "Please, you better be."
We retired to our rooms but I didn't sleep well. I had my repeating nightmares. But, with the addition of a new scene. Zuko was lashing about while being battered by mile high waves. I was pulled in the opposite direction by a hand - belonging to Zhao.
...
The sun rose all to quickly. The sun of the Firebenders. I pressed my hand to Jee's lucky charm and murmured a quick prayer to Kyoshi before joining Iroh at the stern. Zhao, unfortunately, was there too. He turned to us as we passed through the ruins of the Northern Water Tibe gate. There was still a long way to go, however.
"The Water Tribe can try to resist the inevitable, but their city will fall today."
