Yep… These chapters are a mess. I think these edits are improving the story already.
Enjoy!
Chapter 2: Meeting Fire
"You what?!" Sokka shouted, grabbing my shoulders with worry.
After leaving the Fire Navy ship I'd managed to run back to the village. When I got there, I was out of breath and still shaking from the sight of the massive vessel. Sokka was the first to spot me and he looked very concerned. When he questioned my frazzled state, I told him what happened. "I… I just panicked… and ran…"
He was astounded and disappointed. "You all shouldn't have even been near that area! That ship is dangerous! What were you guys thinking?"
Wincing, I said, "It wasn't our fault. We were just penguin sledding and somehow ended up at the spot. Katara knows better, Sokka. I'm sure she didn't go on that ship. I- I'm sure she left just like me. Don't be mad. We just didn't think about it..."
My brother sighed. "Sorry… I guess this whole airbender thing has me on edge. If the Fire Nation finds out we have Aang here they'll destroy this village."
"They won't find out," I promised. "The Fire Nation has no reason to come-"
A sudden explosion and whistle from the distance cut me off. Sokka and I turned in surprise. The direction I'd just run from now had a ball of fire flying up towards the sky, and I felt dread fill inside me. "No Katara… You didn't…"
Sokka suddenly snapped, "She did! And I bet it was that airbender's doing! I knew we shouldn't have trusted him!"
"Sokka… Calm down," I said. "It was probably an accident."
Sokka turned and looked at me annoyed. "Do you know what this means? If any naval ship is near here they'll be at our door in a second! We've hidden so well these last few months, but the flare will lead them towards us!"
My eyes widened at his words and I covered my scar with a shaking hand. My other hand gripped my forearm to hug myself. Sokka noticed how much his words affected me. "Crys… I'm not going to let them hurt you again," Sokka suddenly whispered, grabbing my hand from my face and pulling me into a hug. I hugged him back but my heart pounded heavily.
Sokka then turned away from me. "I'm going to round up the villagers. We're sending that boy away immediately."
His words surprised me. I came out of my shock. "What? You can't just send him away! You don't know what happened. At least give him a trial or something!"
Sokka scowled. "He doesn't belong here. Outsiders aren't welcome and he needs to leave! Everything was fine until that boy appeared! Now we're probably screwed!" He ran from me, back towards the other villagers who were gathering to see the flare in the sky. I flinched at his rage. I didn't want him to blame the boy for this. From knowing Aang in the brief time I had, he seemed to be a good kid.
About twenty minutes later, we watched Aang and Katara approach the village. We were all gathered at the entrance and Sokka was in front ready to lay down the law. Katara looked at me with question and I dropped my gaze, unable to believe I was letting Sokka go through with this.
"I knew it! You signaled the Fire Navy with that flare!" Sokka accused, pointing at Aang with fury.
Katara stepped in front of the boy with defense. "Aang didn't do anything! It was an accident!"
"Yeh, we were on the ship and there was this booby trap and well...we 'boobied' right into it," Aang said, rubbing his bald head sheepishly.
Gran Gran looked disappointed. "Katara, you shouldn't have gone on that ship. Now we could all be in danger!"
Aang immediately intervened. His face twisted with guilt. "Don't blame Katara. I brought her there. It's my fault."
"Aha! The traitor confesses!"
"Sokka! Stop!" I ordered, deciding this was getting way out of hand. Grabbing my brother by the shoulder, I said, "Aang's just a kid. He and Katara were just having some fun. I'm sure they didn't realize they'd send off that flare."
My brother shrugged me off. "Stay out of this Crystal! I'm doing this to protect you!" Then he turned back to Aang. "The foreigner is banned from our village!"
Katara gasped while I shook my head in disbelief. This was wrong. Aang was just a kid. I tried to reason again. I spoke soft so only he'd hear me. "Please stop Sokka. You can't make him go out in the world on his own. He has nowhere to go… you know the Southern Air Temple has been invaded… our father went there on one of their missions… he saw bones..."
"That's his problem, not mine!" Sokka snapped heartlessly.
"Sokka! You're making a mistake!" Katara cried, tears falling from her eyes.
Sokka spat, "No! I'm keeping my promise to Dad. I'm protecting you and Crystal from threats like him!"
As Sokka continued to shout at Katara and Aang, I looked out towards the sea. It was then I noticed in the far off distance, a dark shape on the horizon. What in the world…
"Then I'm banished too!" My sister suddenly cried. I broke my gaze from the sea and looked back at her with wide eyes. My sister stomped over to Aang grabbing his arm. "C'mon Aang, let's go!" She started to pull him towards Appa who was standing to the side of us.
"Katara!" I cried, horrified by her sudden rash action. She looked at me, and then quickly looked away.
"Where do you think you're going?" Sokka snapped, stepping forward as if to grab her if she really did try to get on Appa.
Katara held her head high as she said, "To find a waterbender! Aang's taking me to the North Pole!"
"I am? Great!" Aang exclaimed.
Walking forward, I decided it was time to stop her. "Katara… I understand how important learning waterbending is… but… Would you really leave us- your family- to go with him? You can't leave... You know mom would want us to stick together."
My sister cringed. She held her head down in shame, and I saw Aang looked conflicted. He pulled from her hand, saying, "Katara, I don't want to come between you and your family."
Katara watched with regret as Aang walked over to Appa. In the end, Aang left with Appa leaving us all in silence. We all watched him go until he and the creature disappeared from view. After he left, Katara was distant from Sokka and I. She was angry that Sokka sent Aang away and mad at me for not being more supportive.
While she moped around bitterly, I walked to the edge of the village to try and clear my head. The last twenty-four hours had been very strange. And I was still very confused about that blue light when we first met Aang.
The glow of Aang's body was not human… it was spiritual… I'd never seen a spirit before. I'd only heard about them through the tales of our tribe. I knew with the hundred year war, a lot of the spiritual stuff had fallen through the cracks. The Avatar had not been seen for a hundred years. We were told he had been reborn into the Air Nation, but that would've been a hundred years ago when Roku died. They claimed the Avatar still had not been found by the Fire Nation, but I knew the possibility of a hundred year old savior was slim.
And since Aang was only twelve, and only an airbender, I was pretty certain he had nothing to do with the Avatar. His origin was still a mystery to me though. There was still no way to understand how he had gotten stuck inside that mass amount of ice… It had to have something to do with the spirits… It was the only thing that even made sense.
As I continued to be lost in my thoughts, I glanced out to the sea once again. It was when I did this that I saw something in the distance… approaching quickly. The once small shape on the horizon I had seen when Aang was banished had gotten closer, and I could make out it was a ship. A very dark ship...
Turning with a gasp, I ran back to warn the villagers, memories of the past flooding through me.
When I got to the village, I shouted, "The Fire Nation! They're coming!"
Everyone looked terrified by my words, and I saw my brother immediately prepare for battle. Katara got out of her depressed state enough so we could gather all the children and get the women and elderly near their homes. After making sure everyone was safe, Sokka and I headed towards the snow wall, and we climbed to the top so we could get a better view.
An omen had fallen in the time I had arrived home. A thick fog surrounded us as if to tell us that the danger was approaching. My whole body trembled at the thought of the Fire Nation coming and attacking our tribe. Last time they came was six years ago. They had killed my mom, a few other men of our tribe, and burned me.
"What do we do?" I fearfully asked my brother.
Sokka had his war paint on, and he pulled his club out ready to fight. "We aren't doing anything. You're going back to Gran Gran while I fight."
I was horrified. "That's suicide, Sokka! You'll be killed! You can't take on firebenders alone! You're going to get hurt!" My panic built again.
Sokka looked at me with resolve. "No, I won't. But it doesn't matter anyway. I'm not letting you fight." When he said this, I saw him look at my scar. Immediately, I looked away not wanting memories to come back. "Just stay out of danger this time. I don't want to see you hurt again." Sokka practically begged, and I felt his brotherly hand cup the area of my discolored cheek.
Nodding, I gave him a sad smile. "Okay… I'll stay back, but if something happens I will fight to defend the others." I wrapped my arms around him and gave him a tight hug. "Just… Be careful… I don't want to lose you too."
He sighed, pressing his face into my hair. "I will. I love you, Crystal."
My eyes burned. "I love you too, Sokka."
Turning, I slid back down the fort and returned back beside Katara. She smiled weakly at me when she saw how scared I looked. "It will be okay, sis. No one will be hurt."
"I hope you're right," I whispered.
The ship hit land about twenty minutes after we prepared for battle. Everyone screamed as the snow and ice shook below us. Sokka's snow fort and our wall of protection began to crumble. Katara and I watched Sokka with deep worry as he continued to stand on the breaking surface. As we stared at his form, something appeared in front of him. A massive shadow came out of the fog. As it broke through the thick haze, I looked at the sudden massive fire nation vessel with utter terror. Only one thought shot through me as I stared at the young and old around me…
We were done for… If they decided to attack, we would not survive.
"Sokka! Get out of the way!" Katara cried, seeing the ship was going to hit our brother with the direction it was headed. Sokka held his ground, although I could sense just from the way he stood he too was afraid. He was trying to keep strong and brave for the rest of us. The ship hit the wall, and the snow started to avalanche. Sokka was pushed back without choice and slid down with a scream. Katara and I ran over as he fell on his back. I knelt beside him with worry, but he looked okay and I sighed with relief.
"I'm fine," he said. "Get back!"
His firm tone made me listen. As he stood back up, pulling me up with him, we saw with terror the enormous front of the vessel was opening. A harsh hiss and steam filled the air. With a loud groan and creak, the front of the ship slammed down to form a ramp.
As the ramp stopped right in front of Sokka, Katara and I both backed away to position ourselves in front of our tribe and Gran Gran. Seven figures began to descend the long ramp, their red armor looking sharp and strong. Three wielded spears, while the other four had their hands bare. I could tell the other four were firebenders. I could see the man in the front was wearing the nicest armor out of the other six men, and I gathered quickly that he was their leader. As I stared at the fire navy soldiers who were approaching steadily, I was surprised when my fear drifted away and fury filled inside me.
I had thought I would be scared as soon as I saw the enemy. But as I heard the whimpers of my tribe, and felt the shake of my sisters hand, I felt with sudden resolve.
No… I would not let this happen again… I would not let anyone else suffer. These monsters would not win.
I glanced over at my sister who looked terrified. My fists clenched as my determination grew. I knew today was the day I would reveal my waterbending. Today the secret would come out. There was no way I was allowing these monsters to hurt my family again. I had not been able to protect my mom, but I would protect my brother and little sister. I was not sure how the tribe would react to my ability, and in that moment I no longer cared.
I would fight to protect the ones I loved. I would fight to save us.
As the six soldiers walked down the ramp, following their leader who led at the front, I watched with disbelief as Sokka grabbed his club and ran up the ramp towards them. My heart clenched as my brother raced into battle.
Sokka shouted as he went to smash his club at the leader. The armored man easily kicked my brother off the side of the ramp sending him down into the snow pile below.
"Sokka!" I cried. I went to race forward, but my sister tightened her grip on my arm shaking even more. I knew then I had to stay by her side. She was terrified, and I would not leave her. Instead of aiding my brother, I turned to glare at the man who was closer than before with spite. However, it was as I took in his features in full, that I noticed it wasn't a man at all.
From the opening of the red fire nation helmet he wore, I was bewildered to see a teenager about the age of Sokka and I, maybe only a year older. His gold eyes stared at our tribe with pure determination. Though I couldn't see what his body was like under all his armor, I could tell he was a good seven inches taller than me just by how much taller he had been when he kicked Sokka off the ramp. When he got even closer, I saw around his left eye was a very nasty scar. The pink flesh was tight like my own, and seemed to darken the closer it got to his eyelids. He had no eyebrow on the left side of his face. It looked like he'd gotten his from a burn as well.
Katara suddenly pulled me back, and I followed her without much choice. We backed away from him as he approached, continuing to stand protectively in front of our people.
As I stared at the scowl on his expression, and the men behind him with my mind tried to bring back the memories of the monster that hurt me. I quickly pushed them back. This was a new monster, and I couldn't show I was afraid.
The teenager stopped in front of us, his soldiers spreading out in a line so none of us would try to escape or attack. As the young leader scanned the crowd, I noticed his gold gaze meet mine for a split second. A flash of curiosity shot through his eyes as he took in the scar that was impossible to miss. I wanted him to know I didn't like him staring at me, and I glared at him to tell him to back off. He scowled at me looking away. However, as his eyes left me I couldn't help but replay the image in my head. The gold was not like the monster who had burned me. It was softer… more conflicted…
I shook the thought. Katara trembled again, and I placed my hand over hers letting her know it would be alright.
After a long silence the teenager finally spoke, stepping forward so he was right in front of me, Katara, and Gran Gran. "Where are you hiding him?"
None of us answered, but that was mainly because we had no clue what he was talking about. Who was this him he spoke of? The only males of our tribe were Sokka, a few kids, and the few elders behind us that could not fight at war.
He growled when no one answered. He reached forward towards us, and Katara stopped breathing. I involuntarily froze, not sure what to do. Instead of grabbing Katara or myself, he reached between us and grabbed my Gran Gran, yanking her past us and pulling her harshly in front of him.
"No!" I took a step, but soldiers immediately stepped in my path and shoved their spears in front of me. Katara and I were forced to back away. I could not see the faces of the armored men due to their helmet visors, but I was certain they would not hesitate to hurt my sister and I.
Their leader had stepped back from us as I tried to intervene, and he shoved my grandma in front of him for the whole village to see. He yelled with impatience, "He'd be about this age! Master of all four elements!"
No one answered again. He scowled and furiously shoved Gran Gran forward. She stumbled. At this point his soldiers had moved back and Katara and I quickly caught her as she came towards us. I held her up as she shook, and I glared daggers at the teenager.
However, his words puzzled me.
Master of all four elements… He couldn't mean the avatar right? The Avatar hadn't been seen for over a hundred years… and why would the avatar be here at this insignificant tribe? If the Avatar was still alive, wouldn't he or she be fighting the war somewhere?
The teenager was enraged that no one had answered, and I watched with horror as fire shot out from his fist above our heads. As the tribe screamed, I shut my eyes trying to block out the picture of the hot flame.
Strong Crystal… Stay strong… Forget the past… This is a new enemy...
A loud warrior cry rang out suddenly, bringing my attention back to the scene before me. The fire had extinguished at this point, and thankfully had not hit anyone. We all looked up to see Sokka run towards the leader again with his club in hand. The teenager looked annoyed and swiftly dodged my brother's arm. He shoved his shoulder into Sokka's abdomen and flipped him over his back. Sokka flew and landed his butt. The teenager had turned in that time to attack him. My brother shrieked when a blast of fire shot towards him. He managed to roll out of the way, and once he was back on his feet, he grabbed the boomerang he was given by father from his back. Sokka threw it hard at the leader, but the young man easily dodged it. The leader turned back to Sokka with rage once he caught his footing.
"Show no fear!" A young boy named Hura suddenly cried from beside me, and he threw a spear towards Sokka.
My brother caught it easily and jumped up from the snow. Then he shouted again and charged at the teenager. The whole time my brother attacked the leader, his soldiers stood to the side not making a move. For a moment, I could've sworn I heard one of them cough a laugh as my brother charged.
The teenager ended up breaking Sokka's spear and hitting him in the head with it. Sokka dazedly fell back in the snow, and I saw his opponent smirking at the poor fighting skills. However, just as the teenager thought he was winning with ease, something shined in the sun and flew at his head. His helmet got knocked around and he stumbled forward from the shock. Sokka's boomerang landed at the teenager's feet. A guard turned away coughing another laugh.
His men were amused by their leader's scuffle. They did not see Sokka or any of us as a threat. This was just a show for all of them. They didn't care about our fear. They were watching everything as if it was all just for entertainment.
Finally, I snapped out of my frozen state. Since Katara had released my arm when Gran Gran was grabbed earlier, I moved forward at last. Rushing over to my brother, I quickly knelt beside Sokka as the teenager glared furiously at him once he fixed his helmet.
He grit his teeth snapping at my brother. "You'll pay for that one peasant!"
I looked up at him with terror as he lit fire daggers in both his hands. He met my gaze for a brief moment as he prepared to attack, and something shot through him. Confliction? His daggers extinguished, but he still glared at my brother harshly. "Don't challenge me anymore. You don't know who you're dealing wi-"
He was cut off as he was suddenly knocked off his feet. Something shot in front of us, and the teenager fell flat on his face. A penguin slid around the village, and on that penguin was Aang. I heard the children all cheered with delight from behind Sokka and I.
Aang brought the penguin to a stop in front of Sokka and I. Katara stepped over to us at this point too. He grinned at us with delight. The penguin bucked him off its back and waddled away. Aang collected himself from where he landed in the snow, looking at the three of us with playful eyes. "Hey Katara. Hey Sokka. Hey Crystal."
Smiling, I was relieved to see him.
Sokka was also grateful. "Hi Aang… Thanks for coming."
There was a sudden snarl. We jumped in shock and saw the teenager had collected himself from Aang's attack. He was on his feet and got into a fighting stance. His helmet was off now, revealing his face in full. As I took in the rest of his features, I was surprised when a strange feeling rushed through me… An unfamiliar feeling…
My heart made a weird jump. I stared at his black hair pulled back in a topknot, and his soft face. Without the cruel scowl on his expression, I couldn't help but think of him as handsome.
Wait! Stop! What the spirits am I thinking? He's the enemy! He isn't cute!
I shook the ridiculous thought out of my head and pushed the unfamiliar feelings away. I would never dream of ever falling for a monster.
Aang jumped up with his staff in hand, and then got into his own fighting stance. "Looking for me?" Aang spoke with irritation.
The teenager's jaw dropped. "You're the airbender… you're the Avatar?"
My eyes widened. What… Aang… the Avatar?
A flash of the blue light from yesterday came back to my memory. I couldn't believe it… Aang was over a hundred years old?! Aang was the Avatar?! He was trapped in an iceberg for a hundred years?!
In some crazy twisted part of my mind, the fact he was the Avatar made perfect sense.
"No way," my brother muttered beside me.
The teenager looked pissed. "I've spent years preparing for this encounter. Training, meditating… You're just a child!"
Aang looked confused by his statement. "Well... you're just a teenager."
The teenager really didn't like his words, and he snarled, forming fire in his hands.
I gasped. No! He'd hurt Aang!
Aang didn't seem concerned as the leader shot fire towards him, using his staff easily to airbend the fire away from him. However, the fire veered from him and blew towards us. My tribe screamed as heat hovered over us.
Aang heard our terror and quickly surrendered. He smashed his staff into the snow, and snapped at the leader, "If I go with you, do you promise to leave these people alone?"
The teenager was shocked by his quick surrender. He nodded, and glanced back at his men. Two of his soldiers immediately stepped forward and grabbed Aang's arms. They started to push him up the ramp. As I stared at the young boy who I could see was terrified as well, I felt panic rise.
No… Aang…
I knew my time had come. Tightening my fists, I shut my eyes breathing for a moment to calm my racing heart. But I knew what I had to do. They couldn't take him... He was the world's last hope…
The spirits had granted me waterbending… Perhaps it was for this moment. Perhaps it was to try and save the Avatar so peace could be restored. My mother had sacrificed herself to save me… It was time for me to sacrifice myself to save my people.
I was not sure what would happen when I revealed my waterbending to the enemy, but I couldn't stand by anymore. The world needed Aang more than me.
"Sokka… Katara… I'm sorry," I whispered. They looked at me with confusion. I met their gazes. "I love you both so much… I couldn't save mom… and I don't know if I'll be able to save Aang… but I have to try."
"Crystal… What are you-"
Sokka tried to understand my sudden words, but he was too late to stop me.
My eyes narrowed and I darted forward. "Stop!" I cried. "Let him go!"
"Crystal!" Katara and Sokka cried in terror, but I did not stop.
The teenager and his men had just reached the ramp. I quickly threw my hand upward towards the leader who had turned to look at me in surprise. A rush of heavy snow flew up at him and knocked him roughly on his back. He gasped as he lay in shock, but I didn't give him time to recover. With speed and determination, I picked up more snow and blanketed the white powder over his lower half, hardening the element and freezing the stunned teen to the cold ground. The soldiers had all turned to see my attack as well, and I could only assume they were as surprised as their leader. I saw Aang stare at me with bewilderment.
Looking back at Katara, I saw her eyes widen with amazement. My gaze moved to Sokka who looked shocked and hurt.
"I'm sorry…" As I spoke, I felt a tear fall.
There was a sudden growl. Turning back to the enemy, I saw he was no longer shocked but determined. Melting the ice around him, he stood with fury. His fists tightened as he glared at me.
"So… The water tribe has been keeping secrets, huh?" He stepped forward. "I thought we'd captured every last waterbender here!"
"Looks like you guys missed one," I spat. "Let the boy go!"
The teenager growled and jumped forward to grab me. With agility I was surprised that I had, I managed to dodge his attempt to grab me and yanked up more snow. Shooting it at him, I watched it hit his body and cause him to fly back again hitting the ground hard. As he fell back into the snow, dust flying around him, he yelled through his pain, "What are you fools doing?! Seize her!"
His soldiers obeyed, racing forward to restrain me. The three benders shot fire at me and I brought snow up quickly to block the flames. As steam hovered from the fire hitting my shield, I was a bit blinded by the smoke. Before I could recover, two strong hands grabbed my wrists and restrained me. Screaming, I tried to pull from the holds of the two soldiers. They jerked me forward towards their leader, who was on his feet again. I fell into the snow, and they shoved me down pinning me to the freezing powder.
"Let her go!" Sokka cried, running forward. I turned my head to see the other firebending soldier who wasn't holding me down, shot fire at Sokka who had no choice but to stumble back.
"Hey! You said you'd leave these people alone!" Aang cried, trying to pull from the soldiers that were restraining him.
The teenager stalked towards me with sudden determination. His soldiers had jerked me up back to my feet. I shivered when cold air met my wet skin. "I'll leave these people alone, but this girl is coming with us. Waterbenders are a threat, and we can clearly not have this one running around. I'm not sure how they hid you so well, but your freedom ends today just like the rest of your kind."
Glaring at him, I tried to pull from the soldiers holds and gave a harsh kick towards him. He dodged easily, amused by my action. He continued to speak with thrill. "Just think of how much honor I'll receive when I bring home to my father the Avatar and the last waterbender of the Southern Water Tribe." He stepped closer, his eyes burning into my own. "Unless there's more you're all hiding and I need to investigate further?"
I knew I couldn't let him know about my sister. I had to keep him focused on me. I shot my foot forward again and kicked his armor. He gasped at the force and stumbled back. I scowled when his bewildered gaze met my own again. "Just me." I glanced back at Aang, and then at my captor. "Let him go! You can't take the Avatar! The world needs him! You can't be so cruel!"
He scowled. "You're in no position to make demands at me, girl! You're my prisoner!"
I wasn't ready to go down without a fight. My hands were still free. With what little movement I could gather, I froze the snow beneath my restrainers' feet and they gasped as they slid slightly, losing balance. Breaking from them as soon as their grips loosened, I went to punch forward at the cocky teenager with rage.
He caught my wrist and spun us so that he could fall on top of me on the snow. He shoved me hard into the cold element, his one hand keeping my wrist behind me in his tight grip. "You've got as much fire as the boy. You two must be related."
I struggled from under him. "You can't be this cruel! Please! The world needs Aang! This isn't about the war! This is about balance!"
He jerked me back up. My limbs shook, but at this point he had both of my hands pinned behind me. He snapped, "This is about my honor! And I'm not letting you or that boy escape! You're both mine now!"
He started to push me forward. His soldiers grabbed me again, this time keeping my hands behind me tightly to stop my movement.
I grit my teeth to stop my tears. Whelp… that was a fail...
"No!" My sister and brother both cried.
I looked back at them to see them start to run forward. I shouted at them with authority. "No! Stay with Gran Gran! Protect the tribe!" I was shoved forward again, but I kept my gaze back on them as much as I could. "I'll be okay! I'll help Aang as much as I can! I love you!"
Zuko didn't respond to my words, although I was certain by the sound of his scoff that he wanted to argue with me.
As we headed further up the ramp, I lost sight of my family. I heard my sister cry out from behind, "Crystal! Aang!"
I shut my eyes as tears built inside them. I had tried… at least I tried to stop them from taking Aang… I could die knowing I didn't just stand back and watch...
Aang called from in front of me, "Don't worry, Katara. I'll take care of her! You just take care of Appa for me!"
My feet left the ramp suddenly and arrived on an even surface. I opened my eyes to see we had reached a large hallway with a set of stairs in front of us to lead up on deck. The ramp began to shut then, and the teenager shouted orders about preparing the ship for departure. As other soldiers who had been standing in wait on the ship scrambled to go relay his orders, I stared at the ship's interior with dread. The ramp shut behind us completely, locking me inside the darkness. The hall we were in was cold and made entirely of steel. Candlesticks were the only lighting as the sun left us and locked us in our prison.
One of my restrainers was impatient. "Sir. What do you want us to do with her?"
The teenager glanced back towards me for a moment, and then over at Aang. He answered his soldier. "All of you take the Avatar up on deck. I need him heavily guarded. He's stronger than her, so I don't want to take chances. I have to go grab my uncle, so I'll take the girl to the brig myself."
The soldiers already restraining Aang began to force him down the hall towards the stairs leading up. Aang looked back worriedly, shouting, "You better not hurt her!"
The teen turned back to me.
"Sir… are you sure…?" The soldier who had spoke before was hesitant to release me.
He nodded. "Leave us. I want to speak to the girl alone. Also, don't tell my uncle about this when we come up on deck. He will try to convince me to release her." He glanced over at me. "And I'm sure my father won't like that."
The soldiers bowed, and then headed in the direction of the other men who were carting Aang off and disappearing up the stairs.
The teenager turned back to me. I was frozen in terror. And kind of disappointed in myself. My heroic effort kind of felt in vain. However, I knew I could at least die now knowing I finally did something to try and save another. Like my mother, I could die knowing I tried to protect the ones I love and the world's last hope.
"You're not looking so brave now," he muttered, stepping towards me. "Have you finally come to your senses?"
Backing away, I felt my body shake. I looked around for any sign of water. I could tell he was right though. There was nothing I could use around me to fight.
I tried to reason with him again. He was my age. Maybe I could get through to him. "Please… Just let me and Aang go," I said. I was trying to keep strong, but my voice was shaking. "Aang's just a kid and I-"
A hand smacked right beside my head into the steel wall. I was horrified by his sudden action. His body was right in front of me now, and I felt trapped. I tried to move away, but he grabbed my forearm to hold me steady. I flinched from his warmth.
"Not so tough now, are you?" His breath brushed against me. I felt his warmth. It was dark but I could make out his gold eyes in the firelight. They were narrowed with irritation. "You're pretty good for a waterbender who's had no training. I have to say I'm impressed. You definitely bruised me up with that last hit."
Glaring with utter hatred, I hissed, "Good! I taught myself so that one day when I met a firebender again I wouldn't be so weak!"
He was taken back by my words, and I saw his eyes shoot to my scar once more. For a moment, something shot through them: understanding? sympathy?
He quickly covered his care though, snapping, "Well your bending just got you in a lot of trouble. Now you're my prisoner and I'm taking you and the Avatar to my father so I can get my honor back!"
My brows furrowed. He had mentioned his father before… was he the son of a general or something?
"Your father?"
He was surprised that I didn't realize who he was. "You seriously have no clue who I am, do you?"
I shook my head slowly.
He seemed amused. "Wow. I can definitely see the Southern Water Tribe is not as educated as the Northern Tribe."
I scowled. "Don't speak about my people like that!"
He leaned forward, grabbing my chin hard with the hand he had slammed on the wall. "And you don't speak to me like that, girl." He then jerked from my chin and stepped away from me. He smirked and spoke cockily. "But I'm happy to educate you." He crossed his arms. "My name is Zuko, crown prince of the Fire Nation."
My blood went cold, and my breathing hitched. My body fell back against the wall as I stared at the Prince in terror.
What…? No… He… he's the Fire Lord's son… I was a prisoner to the Fire Lord's son?! I had the worst luck in the world!
I had only heard rumors about the rulers of our enemy. I knew Fire Lord Ozai was heartless and brutal. I was aware he had children, but I did not know much else.
At first I was scared of my captor. However, as I realized I was staring at the son of the most brutal leader in the world, my fear turned to terror. The strength and determination I had felt before suddenly vanished. There was no hope for escape now. I was a prisoner to the Fire Lord's son… and so was the Avatar… the Fire Nation would win very soon...
He saw the horror and dread flash across my expression. He looked smug as he spoke again. "I definitely struck a fear there, huh?"
I tried to move away, but he saw my intention and grabbed my arm forcing me to turn away from him. I gasped and struggled. I went to kick back at him and screamed. He covered my mouth quickly with his hand, and wrapped his arm around my body to pin my arms down. I managed to get a hit at his boot, and he grunted a little. His grip tightened around me.
"Stop!" He whispered in my ear, "I don't want to hurt you. So stop fighting me."
He started to force me down the hall. He removed his hand from my mouth so he could open a door and force me through. We went down another hallway with more doors, and finally reached another set of stairs that went further down into the deeper parts of the vessel.
"Where are you taking me?" I asked, I tried to pull from him, but he still had a firm hold around me.
We went down another hallway, and down another flight of steps. Eventually, we reached a hall that had prison cells. Zuko opened one which creaked loudly and shoved me inside. Turning in terror, I saw him close the door and lock it with a key that had been hanging on the wall beside it. "Don't worry. The Avatar will be joining you soon."
He then turned and left, taking the keys with him.
"You can't just leave me down here!" I screamed after him, grabbing the cell door and shaking it hard to try and open it. Zuko ignored me and left, and I watched him go with terror. Falling to my knees, I let gasps escape me. What had I gotten myself into?
My cheek burned as the memories of my past flooded back through me. Would they burn me again? Or would they just kill me?
The ship suddenly lurched forward as it started to move away from land. I grabbed onto the cell door tightly to keep from falling into the steel. I knew where we were headed... towards the fire nation… to the Fire Lord...
Backing against the wall of my cold cell, I pulled my knees to my chest in silent terror. Thinking back to the last hour, I couldn't believe I had actually done what I did. My brother and sister were probably worried sick. My tribe was probably furious at me for hiding my bending.
However, I felt redeemed in a way. At least like my mother, I had tried to save the one that needed to be protected. She had failed… I had failed… but I knew I could die knowing that I tried to save the world.
It seemed like an hour passed as I sat in my dark prison. Just when I thought all hope was gone, I heard footsteps run down the corridor.
"Crystal! Are you down here?!" A familiar voice cried out, and I looked up in shock to see Aang come into view.
"Aang!" I shouted with relief, jumping up and running to the cell door. Aang tried to pull the door open with his hands, but it wouldn't budge.
"Where's the key?" he asked.
"Zuko has it!" I cried, trying to shove my weight on the door.
Aang nodded. "Okay then, scratch the key. Stand back," he ordered. Immediately I did as he said. He pursed his lips. "I really hope this works."
Jumping up, Aang kicked the door hard and his blast of air sent the steel square flying off its hinges into the wall beside me. Before I had time to blink and gauge Aang's true strength, he grabbed my hand and began to run us down the hall. As we raced through the massive corridors of the ship, upstairs, and down some more halls I noticed Aang started opening door after door. He'd let go of my hand at this point so I was running to keep up with him. "Aang… What are you doing?" I asked as he opened another door.
"I have to find my staff," he exclaimed, grabbing my hand again and pulling me down another hall. We must've gone through at least ten halls when finally we saw it. A wooden staff sat inside a room, leaning against a table, the door wide open as if someone wanted Aang to see it.
"Aang, wait! I think it's a trap!" I cried, trying to grab Aang's arm to stop him.
"No it isn't. Trust me," Aang said, then ran into the room. Following him with concern, I immediately heard the door slam shut behind me. We turned quickly only to see Prince Zuko standing in front of our only way out.
He narrowed his gold eyes at Aang and I. "Looks like I underestimated you two," he hissed, then began to shoot fire at us. Aang and I dodged his blasts as much as we could, and as Aang fought with air I tried to stay out of the way. There was no water in the room so I had no ability to help.
"Crystal! Run!" Aang ordered, shooting another blast of air at the prince. Turning as fast as I could, I spun the wheel of the door managing to unlock it, and yanked it open. Then I took off running down the hall of the ship towards what I hoped was the way out.
As I ran down the hall, I saw a door open and watched with shock as a man came out. It appeared from the poor clothing and apron that this middle-aged man was the ship cook. He had a tray of tea in his hands. He was totally shocked by my sudden appearance. With a quick thrust of my hand, I caused the tea in the pot to fly up and hit the cook. He screamed from the hot liquid, and while he was distracted I shoved him against the steel wall of the ship.
"How do I get out of here?" I shouted, frantically trying to escape.
In the end the cook stuttered out directions and I ran down the hall, took a right, and found myself running up some steel steps. As I surfaced above deck, I was horrified to see Aang and Zuko were on deck too and they were fighting once more. However, there was water around us and I had a chance to redeem my awful attempt from earlier.
"Aang!" I cried. "Hang on!"
I raced to the side of the vessel and used my bending to bring water up from the sea below. It was a challenge to pull the element up from so far down, but I found the strength. Using the water I'd gathered, I shot it in a straight stream towards Zuko. He turned as he heard the water fly towards him and dodged my blast swiftly. Aang took the distraction and threw air at Zuko. He managed to knock the cocky prince down on the steel deck hard.
"We have to get out of here!" I urged, running over to Aang who was looking at the knocked down prince with satisfaction.
He looked over at me to speak, but he didn't get his words out. I heard a groan and looked up at the sky with astonishment. A giant familiar sky-bison flew towards us, and on his saddle were two teenagers I knew very well. "Katara! Sokka!" I cried, relief flooding through me.
Aang suddenly shoved me back as a flame shot between us. I stumbled away, and then tried to move forward to help again.
However, I didn't get my chance. A firm hand grabbed me from behind suddenly and I gasped as I was roughly shoved to the ground. A soldier was immediately on top of me, and I struggled with terror as I watched Aang and Zuko continue to fight. My breathing hitched as I watched Aang hop on the ship railing and Zuko threw fire at him. A blast hit Aang harder than he expected it to, and I watched with horror as my friend fell unconscious in the ocean below.
"No!" I cried, thrashing to escape my captor's hold. "Aang!"
"Hold still!" The soldier snapped above me and suddenly I was yanked back up to my feet. My whole body was in agony from the trauma it had faced in the last few hours. My eyes darted to the sky where I saw Sokka and Katara looking at where Aang had fallen with terror.
"Let me go!" I shouted, trying to pull from the soldier's hold again. He held on tighter, wrapping his arms around me to pin them to my sides. He grabbed my wrists to keep me from waterbending. I gasped as his armor dug into my back. "Let go! Please!" I shouted, trying to kick back at him.
Another soldier suddenly came in front of me as I was restrained. My eyes widened in terror when I saw him tighten his hand in a fist. It flew at my stomach causing me to cry out, lose my footing, and slump over in my captor's hold. "Nice try waterbender," the same soldier who punched me hissed. "But you lose." Then I watched him raise his fist and I closed my eyes knowing what was to come next. As something heavy smashed into the back of my head, I felt a sharp pain shoot through my skull and then my body went numb.
The last thing I heard before darkness consumed me was Katara's voice. "Crystal!"
I blacked out.