Hello! I have another chapter!

This took me a little longer to complete than expected mostly because I didn't really get much response on the last chapter and I started to lose motivation haha. I really do appreciate everyone who has reviewed thus far! I love you guys and there is a special place in my heart reserved for those who review my fanfictions!

TheBestGuest: Thank you so much for reading and reviewing! This chapter is for you, my friend. Also, that's so awesome that you took the Myers-Briggs test! Most people type Aang as ENFP! I'm an INFP (:

I promised action in the previous chapter but I guess I totally lied, because this is where the action begins..

Also, for those of you who are waiting for an update on Metamorphose... it's coming soon, as promised!

This chapter was inspired by the song 'Ship To Wreck' by Florence + The Machine from their 2015 album, 'How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful'.

Please don't be a stranger and review? (!)

Hope you enjoy reading!

Chapter 17: Ship To Wreck

…

And good God, under starry skies we are lost

And into the breach we got tossed

And the water's coming in fast

…

And oh my love remind me, what was it that I said?

I can't help but pull the earth around me, to make my bed

And oh my love remind me, what was it that I did?

Did I drink too much?

Am I losing touch?

Did I build this ship to wreck?

…

The night was silent but for the hum of crickets in the woods and the waves lapping at the shore. Katara was awake again, knee deep in the sea, practicing the water cloak. She had chosen a tree on the edge of the forest as her opponent, imagining that the knot in the trunk was Zuko's face. Coaxing the water around her body and arms, she turned and slashed at the tree trunk then dodged a hypothetical attack, riding a wave onto the shore and pulling up the water around her to block another nonexistent blast of fire.

Despite her best efforts, she hadn't been able to rid him from her mind; he wandered through her dreams and interrupted her thoughts. She figured if she couldn't forget him, she could at least remind herself that he was her enemy, and thus, had started imagining him as her opponent whenever she trained. She sent a stinging water whip to lash at his face then recoiled it, spun to dodge and, using her momentum, sent another stream of water to grasp at the base of the trunk, where Zuko's feet would be.

She hoped that the reunion with the rest of the Kyoshi Warriors would help take her mind off the firebending prince and, she had to admit, she was excited about the prospect of going to Fong's Base and seeing the Earth Kingdom military. The armed forces of the Southern Water Tribe had been lacking in quantity since the Fire Nation raids of her youth; all that remained was the Southern Water fleet, commanded by her father, the absentee chief of the tribe. The Earth Kingdom military, however, was renowned for its size and organization. They had held off Fire Nation attacks for the better part of the last hundred years, aside from their recent string of defeats in the southern countryside and at Omashu.

Katara was ready to join the fight. After months of training day and night, she felt like she could finally hold her own in battle and was eagerly anticipating the moment when she felt like she was truly apart of the rebellion against the Fire Nation forces. Thus far, they had avoided the battlefront, traveling around the conflict and camping in remote areas. But she hadn't forgotten the destruction in Omashu, the loss of life, the look in the citizens' eyes at the fall of their beloved city, the swaths of refugees huddled in the alleyways. She wanted to help, to fight, to prevent the Earth Kingdom from experiencing the same fate as her village.

Spinning and swaying, she sent a flurry of strikes at tree-Zuko, slashing in all directions. She froze the watery tip of her cloak arm into a sharp edge and sent a sweeping blow towards the tree trunk. The ice passed through the wood, cutting a deep gash into the trunk. Katara watched with a mixture of horror and pride as a loud crack echoed over the water and the top half of the tree toppled over.

…

The cave wasn't really a cave. It was more like an alcove in the rocky slope of the hillside, but it served for shelter. His uncle was tending a fire when he returned, arms full of supplies; food, valuables, a tea set, and some scrolls he had stolen from a traveling Earth Kingdom noble. He set down the goods next to Iroh and ambled over to his place on the other side of the fire.

The old general eyed the pile of supplies, then looked across the fire at his nephew.

"I see you did some more shopping," He noted, picking up the silver jeweled teapot and examining the craftmanship, "But where did you get the money for all this?"

"Do you like your new teapot?"

"The best teas taste just as good whether they are served in gold or clay," Iroh responded, rubbing his chin, "I just don't seem to remember receiving much coin from my renditions of Earth Kingdom sea shanties…"

Zuko shrugged, averting his gaze, "It doesn't matter where it came from." He crossed his arms over his chest, leaning back against the rock wall. His uncle wasn't stupid, the old man knew very well what was going on but it was never his style to be accusatory. Iroh wanted him to admit to stealing, he wanted to talk about the moral implications of his actions and he wanted Zuko to own up to it himself, but he refused to. He was only doing what he had to do.

He had been stealing from nobles, merchants, and thieves, not ordinary citizens of the Earth Kingdom who were struggling to feed themselves, and he felt no remorse.

"I'm sick of living like a peasant," Zuko scowled, "It's degrading."

"I know we've had some difficult times lately… we've had to struggle just to get by," Iroh sighed, "But it's nothing to be ashamed of! There's a simple honor in poverty."

He gritted his teeth, frustrated, "There's no honor for me without the Avatar."

"Zuko… even if you did capture the Avatar, I'm not sure it would solve all of your problems…" His uncle set down the teapot and reached for a bun from the basket of food, "In fact, it may only cause more problems."

"What do you mean?"

"We still don't have your ship. Capturing the Avatar… We would only be making more enemies. They were rather accommodating to us when they had no reason to be… and your waterbending friend-"

"She's not my friend and they are our enemies, Uncle," Zuko glowered at Iroh across the fire.

"All I'm saying is, I think the situation is complicated and I'm not entirely sure capturing the Avatar is in the cards right now. Nor should it be."

"Then there's no hope at all," he scowled, averting his gaze.

"No, Zuko! You must never give in to despair. Allow yourself to slip down that road and you surrender to your lowest instincts. In the darkest time, hope is something you give yourself. That is the meaning of inner strength."

"My hope is that I can return home," Zuko snarled. "I won't accept anything less. Capturing the Avatar the only way for me to regain my honor and my crown."

There was a sadness in his uncle's eyes as he shook his head slightly, exhaling, "Only you can relinquish or restore your honor, Zuko. Whether or not you capture the Avatar is inconsequential in this regard."

He was reminded suddenly of Katara's words. Honor isn't something that someone else can take away… Zuko gritted his teeth in silent fury. He suddenly felt betrayed, as if his uncle had forsaken him by believing that his honor was simply a decision, as if suggesting that he reconsider his path was the epitome of treachery. Clenching his fists, he stood up abruptly and stormed off into the woods, leaving his uncle sitting at the fire, watching him leave.

…

Katara woke up around noon with the sun beating down on her, making her bed roll entirely too hot to continue sleeping. Groaning, she kicked it off, freeing her legs, and stumbled to her feet. She rubbed her eyes and, as her senses came back to her, the pleasant smell of cooking meat filled her nose. Sokka was hunched over the pit he had dug, tending to the hog that lay atop a pile of embers, sending a gray cloud of smoke into the sky.

Suki and Huan were training and Aang was feeding Appa, doing his best to stay away from the pit of meat. Katara stretched as she walked over to her brother to offer some help.

"Hey there, sleepyhead," Sokka grinned as he prodded at the cooking hog, "Did the delicious smell wake you?"

Katara smiled fondly at her brother, "That and the sun. It's so hot here, it makes me miss the South Pole. Do you need any help?"

"Actually, yeah," Sokka handed her a large stick, "Do you think you could help me move it over this way a bit? The coals aren't burning as hot on that side."

"I'm surprised to see you cooking. I thought you always said cooking was a woman's job," She mocked, imitating his voice for the last couple words.

"Katara, cooking an entire hog that you killed yourself is one of the manliest things a man can do," her brother stood, hands on his hips.

"So when I cooked sea slugs at home I was being a manly man?" She giggled.

"It's not the same."

"Seems kind of arbitrary to me," Katara rolled her eyes, "Let's move this thing."

Sokka grabbed another large stick and together they shifted the hog towards the hotter coals.

"I thought the Kyoshi Warriors were supposed to be here by now?" She probed as they flung down the sticks, not seeing any signs of the warriors around the camp.

"They were," Sokka exhaled, eyeing their work, "They're probably just running late. Don't bring it up to Suki, though, I think she's starting to get worried."

Katara glanced over at her friend, watching as Suki demonstrated a blocking technique to Huan, using his momentum to shift his weight and knock him off balance. He landed on the ground with a grunt, but Suki didn't laugh or joke with him like she normally would, silently offering her hand to help him up.

Deciding now would be a good time for another waterbending lesson, particularly given that Aang seemed intent on staying away from Sokka's hog while it cooked, she wandered over to the airbender.

"Hey, want to head over to the shore with me and practice some waterbending?" She nudged him as he tossed Appa a whole cabbage.

"Do you think we can try that advanced form? The octopus one?" Aang turned, excited at the offer.

"We can try," Katara smiled at him, "But you do still need to work on the water cloak more, Pupil Aang."

"Yes, Sifu Katara," Aang bowed and, laughing, they ran to the beach.

…

Zuko picked through the trees, scowling at the undergrowth as it pulled at his clothes. He had never felt so hopeless, not even after his first couple years of banishment without any sign of the Avatar. At least then he still had his ship, his crew, and his uncle's support. But now it seemed as if his uncle was perfectly content living a life of poverty, no longer bothering to help him search for the Avatar. The old man had even gone as far as to suggest that Zuko give up on the search, on his destiny, just as the retired general had done outside the walls of Ba Sing Se all those years ago.

He was alone now. The prospect of capturing the Avatar and returning him to the Fire Nation was exponentially more difficult, particularly now that he had competition. He hadn't forgotten Commander Zhao's threats from weeks ago; potentially the most worrisome part of all this was that if Zhao was successful, Zuko's only chance of regaining his honor would be forfeit. Without the opportunity for redemption, he would be fated to live out the rest of his days exiled from his home, a refugee in a foreign country.

That was a fate he was not willing to accept and, if his uncle declined to help him, the only option was to go at it alone. He couldn't sit around in a cave with Iroh any longer, struggling to survive with no hope of regaining his honor. Zuko was a man of action and he refused to sit idly by and allow fate to take control; he would fight until the last possible moment.

Having made his decision, he returned to the cave, his uncle still sitting where he had left him hours before, brewing another pot of tea.

"Uncle, I thought a lot about what you said," He started, pulling at a twig that had attached itself to his clothes.

"You did? Good, good," The old man nodded, smiling as he poured the tea, pulling out another cup for his nephew.

"It's helped me realize something… we no longer have anything to gain by traveling together." He pushed on, ignoring the hurt in his uncle's eyes as his smile disappeared, "I won't stop pursuing the Avatar and my destiny. I need to find my own way." Zuko picked up his bag of things, which mostly just contained his clothes, his dagger, the map, the blue mask, and a bed roll.

He half expected his uncle to disagree with him, to try to convince him to stay, but he didn't. Iroh stood and ambled over to the ostrich horse that was tied to a nearby tree, sighing as he unknotted its reins and guided it towards Zuko.

"I hope you find what it is you are looking for," Iroh sighed, handing his nephew the reins.

Zuko nodded, unsure of how to respond, and climbed into the saddle without another word. Taking the reins and urging to ostrich horse forwards, he looked back one last time at his uncle to see a tear slip out of the old man's eye as he turned back towards the cave.

…

They sat around the fire as it slowly burned out, not entirely willing to entertain the idea that the Kyoshi Warriors may have run into trouble on their way. The girls had been due to arrive the day before at the latest. When afternoon had rolled around, Katara could see the worry in Suki's eyes and tried to comfort her, suggesting that they might just be late. Sokka had finished cooking his hog and they had waited all evening, pacing listlessly around the campsite.

No one wanted to suggest the possibility to Suki that something may have gone terribly wrong, but Katara could tell by the look on the other's faces that the thought had crossed everyone's mind.

At length, Suki broke the silence. "Ok, they should have been here yesterday," she exhaled, her chin in her hands, "What if something happened to them?"

"If something happened to them, what are we even supposed to do about it? How would we know?" Huan asked.

"I don't know," Suki grumbled, "I just hate sitting and waiting like this."

"We could all try looking for them?" Katara suggested, rubbing Momo's ears.

"I'm not sure that's such a good idea. What if they just got delayed and show up tomorrow and we aren't here anymore?" Sokka rubbed his chin, his brow furrowed, "Although, we could send out a search party, perhaps, while the rest of us hold down the camp in case they show up."

"I'm going," Suki volunteered, standing up to grab her armor.

Her brother in-law nodded, "I'll go too."

Sokka unfurled the map, squinting at it by the flickering light of their dying campfire, "There's a port town southeast of here, probably the one that their ship was supposed to arrive at. I say check there first, then we can at least rule out some possibilities."

"Sounds like a plan," Suki slung her bag over her shoulder, "Aang, could we take Appa? It would be much faster that way."

"Sure," The airbender agreed, "Do you want me to come too?"

"It's up to you," The Kyoshi Warrior responded, shrugging.

"I don't know if you should, Aang," Katara bit her lip, "If the Kyoshi Warriors did run into some trouble, it might just be another trap to catch you. What if it's Zuko again?" She ignored the look that Suki shot her.

"Katara has a point," Huan added, "You kind of have a target on your back when it comes to the Fire Nation."

"We'll wait for you here," Sokka walked with Suki to Appa.

"Ok, we'll try to be back within two days. If not, head to Fong's Base and we'll meet up there," Suki leaned over and kissed him.

Huan followed her into the saddle, throwing up his own bag.

"Wait!" Katara scrambled, shoving some supplies into another bag, "Take this too. There's some meat, nuts, fruit and coin in there and some cabbages for Appa. Be careful," She handed the bag up to Suki.

"We will," Suki nodded, forcing a reassuring smile.

…

Zuko continued north, passing through port towns and small trading villages in search of his ship. Asking around at the docks if any of the fishermen or sailors had seen a lone Fire Nation steamer had gotten him some weird looks, but no leads thus far. He knew, at least, where the Avatar and his friends were heading to meet the Kyoshi Warriors and hoped he could make it there before they reached Fong's Base. It was by no means a well-formed plan, but perhaps the best he could do for the time being.

He had run out of the few provisions he had packed the previous day and his empty stomach was commenting audibly on the lack of food. As he came into another small trading village, he started to get dizzy in the mid-day sun and decided it was time to stop and get some food.

The village marketplace was merely a trading post and a collection of merchants selling their wares out of small carts. Tying up the ostrich horse to a post, he approached one of the carts selling food and feed. The man behind the cart was talking to another merchant to his left, a woman displaying a variety of herbs and medicinals, in hushed tones.

"Can you believe that? I don't know what's worse, them conquering Omashu or kidnapping children."

Zuko strained to hear the conversation, knowing they were talking about the Fire Nation.

"How many children are we talking here?" The man asked.

"I don't know exactly, but Yu said it was a child from every noble house in Gao Ling."

"You don't think they're actually going to kill them do you?"

"If they want cooperation, I imagine not… at least, not without provocation. It's still a despicable tactic either way. Preying on a parent's love for their children… I don't know what I would do if someone took my Jia away," The woman was muttering, a deep frown on her face, "I hope they don't come here next."

Zuko approached the man, a plump fellow with graying hair, and held out some coins, "Could I get some water, a bag of feed, and something hot to eat?"

The merchant eyed the coins and pursed his lips, "Not quite enough here for a hot meal, but I'm feeling generous today. Us Earth Kingdom folk have to stick together during these hard times," He studied Zuko's scar before taking the coins and reaching down under the cart to grab a bag of feed and a water gourd. "The food'll take a minute, if you don't mind waiting."

"I don't mind. Thank you," Zuko leaned against the cart, taking a long sip of water from the gourd. "I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but I heard you talking about the Fire Nation and Gao Ling. I'm looking for a lone Fire Nation steamer… have you seen one or heard anything?"

"You're not one of them are you?" The woman with the apothecary interjected before the man could respond, "One of the noble families from Gao Ling who lost a child?" She eyed his clothes, suspiciously.

"No…" Zuko responded, giving her a sidelong glance.

"Don't pester my customers, Jin," The man who was preparing his food joked, prompting the woman – Jin – to toss a bundle of sandalwood chips at the merchant.

Thinking on it, Zuko decided to offer a vague lie to the woman, in hope that he might be able to gather any information that might help him locate his ship. "My cousin is though- of a noble family in Gao Ling," He hoped she wouldn't ask for any specifics, "I'm trying to find her son."

The man's eyes widened, "I'm sorry, we just got the news…"

"Poor thing," The woman looked up at him, her bottom lip quivering, "How old is he?"

"Twelve," Zuko replied, thinking of the Avatar.

"Oh dear, his poor mother must be sick with worry," She brought her hand up to cover her mouth, "I heard from a friend this morning that the Fire Nation Navy is currently stationed near the harbor outside of Daiyu. Apparently, they made their way east after subduing Gao Ling."

This wasn't exactly the information he had been looking for, but it was better than nothing. This fleet near Daiyu was surely under Zhao's command and the fact that the Commander was so close to where Zuko knew the Avatar would be irked him. Though there was no mention of his ship specifically, it was the closest thing to a lead he had gotten in a while. Daiyu, being one of the larger port towns in the vicinity, would perhaps have more details regarding the possible whereabouts of his ship. He would just have to ensure he avoided any run-ins with Zhao or any men from his crew who might recognize him. The last thing Zuko needed in his current situation was more mockery and snide comments from the spiteful Commander; his patience was already wearing thin.

"Thank you for your help," Zuko half-bowed to the woman behind the apothecary cart.

"Do be careful," She breathed, "Don't let any harm come to all those other children – or Gao Ling will become the next Omashu."

Zuko only nodded, uncertain how to respond further. After a tentative silence, the man handed him a bamboo box containing meat and vegetable kebobs, rice, and bean curd puffs. Thanking him and wishing them both a good day, Zuko returned to the ostrich horse. He led the creature to the outskirts of town and found a shaded spot under a tree, setting down the bag of feed for his mount and opening the bamboo box.

Daiyu was less than a quarter of a day's ride away, judging by his map and the distance he had already traveled. Rather than delay any further, Zuko shoveled most of the food in his mouth, washed it down with a couple gulps of water, and climbed into the ostrich horse's saddle once more.

As he followed the coastline northwest, he saw black smoke on the horizon rising above the rocky cliffs that lined the beach. Urging his mount on, they rounded a headland and Zuko saw the horde of Fire Nation steamers, blocking the bay of Daiyu. It must have been about a hundred ships, not even half of the fleet that Zhao commanded. Zuko's eyes widened when, upon closer inspection, he recognized his comparatively small vessel nestled next to Zhao's flagship in the harbor. Commander Zhao had commandeered his ship.

An indignant rage swelled inside him at the realization, a red-hot fury that flowed through his veins; Zhao was trying to unseat him by seizing his only opportunity to return home and restore his honor. The naval commander was playing dirty, confiscating Zuko's resources under the guise of military need. He couldn't avoid the ill-natured man in Daiyu now, he needed to confront Zhao, demand the return of his vessel. Even if he was banished, he was still a member of the royal family and such subversion would not be tolerated.

Unable to contain the fury that flooded his senses, he roared as flames poured from his mouth, scorching the trees above. Yanking the reins, Zuko spurred on his mount as it broke into a furious gallop.

Daiyu was emptier than it had been during his last visit. The normally bustling marketplace was a ghost town; businesses and homes alike had closed their doors and shuttered their windows. Fire Nation soldiers flooded the docks, carrying barrels of supplies onto the few Navy vessels that had moored at the port.

Zuko ignored the looks he received from the troops as he rode down the wharf towards the largest of the moored ships. Dismounting, he tied the reins of the ostrich horse loosely around one of the pilings, before storming in the direction of the moored ship ahead. Soldiers stood on either side of the loading ramp, guarding the entrance to the vessel.

"Commander Zhao!" Zuko shouted at the soldiers, "Where is he?"

The soldiers glanced at each other, then returned their gaze back to Zuko. Before either of them could respond, the commander himself appeared at the top of the ramp.

"Ah, if it isn't the banished prince," Zhao sneered, "I was beginning to wonder when you would finally show up." He descended the ramp, a smug expression plastered on his face as he held Zuko's glare.

Zuko dropped the reins and approached Zhao with the gait of an indignant royal, half intent on burning him to a crisp as he got up in the older man's face. "Give me back my ship, Zhao," He hissed, the commander's name rolling off his tongue like poison. "You are out of line."

"Out of line? I am only fulfilling the duties of my position," He smirked back, meeting Zuko's unspoken challenge. "Perhaps you heard… I vanquished the rebellion in Gao Ling, sewing seeds of dissension in the nobility. The city is vulnerable. The noble families of Gao Ling are demanding that the Earth King agree to a ceasefire."

The laugh that escaped Zuko's lips was not a true laugh but a low, scornful chuckle laced with contempt. "I heard you kidnapped a bunch of children. You should be ashamed to call yourself a commander, utilizing such a spineless tactic."

He saw anger flicker across the commander's features, provoked by Zuko's accusation, but Zhao quickly quelled his temper when he scoffed and replied, "I didn't realize you cared so much about the children of your enemies. I guess your troops weren't lying when they said you betrayed your nation."

Caught off guard, Zuko's eyes widened momentarily as he stuttered, "My- my troops?"

"Yes, your troops," The wicked smile returned to Zhao's lips, "We came across them on our way back from Gao Ling. Six of them in a rowboat. They alleged that you turned on them, allowing the Avatar to escape to protect some waterbender – though, they claimed she was your lover. I didn't want to believe them, but they did offer some very valuable information… the location of the Avatar and his friends from Kyoshi."

"No…" The word slipped out Zuko's mouth, unbidden, as thoughts of Katara drifted through his mind. Zhao knew where the Avatar was; he knew where they were camping, waiting like sitting turtle ducks for the arrival of the Kyoshi Warriors – information that his soldiers had gathered. The end was nearing; Zuko stood at a precipice, the opportunity to regain his crown and his honor quickly slipping away. Despite the looming threat of forever losing his title and forfeiting his honor, his thoughts lingered on Katara. Zhao was not merciful man, he would slaughter anyone who dared to get in his way – or worse – something Zuko did not want to consider.

"Yes," Zhao sneered, "And it only gets better. We attacked the boat ferrying the Kyoshi Warriors two days ago and took them captive. So, you see, I can't give you back your pathetic vessel… it's being used to transport prisoners of war."

Zuko's jaw hung loose, processing this information. The smug look on Zhao's face infuriated him, but now worry dominated his emotions.

"Now," The commander continued, "You can come with us voluntarily and when I capture the Avatar, I won't tell the Fire Lord of your treachery. Perhaps if you grovel and beg, he will end your banishment," He sniggered, "Or I will take you prisoner and the Fire Nation will know that you betrayed your country, trying to impede my mission to capture the Avatar and bring victory to our great nation."

Zhao motioned to the soldiers at his back and they stepped forward, circling Zuko.

"The choice is yours," He challenged, a vile smirk playing on his lips.

Zhao returns! Such a great antagonist.

I am super excited for the next chapter because we're going to get back into some Zutara fluff and perhaps something a little citrusy... (;

And, yea, I'm going to shamefully beg for reviews again... PLEASE REVIEW? :P

...

With love,

A Storm