Kida's Pov:
I jolted up in bed. I looked around and saw that I was in a Fire Nation ship. I started to freak out, till I remembered what had happened the previous day. I stood up and walked out of the room, I made my way up and onto the deck. I looked around to see that no one else was on the deck, the sun was rising. I found my self thinking about my sister and brother and Aang, wondering where and what they were doing. I heard someone come out and onto deck.
"Hello little one, what are thinking about?" Iroh asked
"My brother and sister." I said
"You'll see them again. They are with the Avatar and we are chasing the Avatar." Iroh said
"Yeah, but I don't your nephew is going to let me leave this ship." I said
"That doesn't mean you can't escape. You should head back inside your catch cold if you stay out here any longer." Iroh said
I laughed.
"Really, Iroh. I'm from the South Pole and my element is ice." I said
Iroh just smiled and left, I followed after him. I walked into Zuko's room to see him sitting on his bed.
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to wake you." I said
"I'm a fire bender I rise with the sun." Zuko said
"Okay. I have a question." I said
"What is it?" Zuko asked
"Is all fire red?" I asked
"No. My sister's fire is blue. Why do you ask?" Zuko asked
"No reason." I said
I looked away.
"You're lying." Zuko said
"No I'm not. I just wanted to know." I said
Zuko looked at me, he didn't believe me but didn't push the subject. Zuko got up.
"Come with me." Zuko said
I got up and followed him out of the room, he headed up onto the deck. Iroh was back on deck and so were a few other guards.
"Little one, come sit with me." Iroh said
I walked over and sat down next to Iroh. Zuko began his fire bending warm-ups. I hate to admit it but watching Zuko train was cool. When Zuko finished he turned and looked over to Iroh and me.
"Good job, Zuko. We will do more at lunch." Iroh said
Zuko rolled his eyes.
"How about a cup of Jasmine tea." Iroh said as more than a statement than a question.
Zuko sat down, but had scowl on his face.
- - - - - Time Skip to that night - - - - -
Zuko and I were back in his room, he kept looking over at me.
"What can I do for you Zuko?" I asked
"I don't get it." Zuko said
"Get what?" I asked
"You fought me and were able to hold your own, but when the Avatar and I were fighting in this room, you looked terrified. You watched my training today and you looked a little amazed. I don't understand why you are acting so different." Zuko said
"I guess I don't do well with fire when I'm in a in closed space." I said
Zuko nodded his head.
- - - - - Time Skip to whatever day they meet Zhao - - - - -
I was in Zuko's room when he walked in and threw me a pair of pants and a shirt at me.
"We are making port in a few minutes, put this on and meet us below deck." Zuko said
With that he turned and left the room. I held up the shirt to see it was at least two sizes to big. When I put it on the shirt came to about mid-thigh, I put the pants on and they were WAY to big. I took the pants off, and made the shirt into a dress. I pulled the sleeves so that my shoulders were showing and that the bottom of my shirt was just above my knees. I was able to continue to wear my shoes from the south pole because they looked like normal shoes.
I turned and walked out of the room and below beck where I found Iroh and Zuko.
"Ready to go?" I asked
They turned around and looked at me.
"I didn't give you a dress." Zuko said
"No you gave me a shirt that was two sizes to big and a pair of pants that were even bigger. So this is what you get." I said
Zuko glared and Iroh smiled. We left the ship and start walking down the dock.
"Uncle, I want the repairs made as quickly as possible. I don't want to stay too long and risk losing his trail." Zuko said
"You mean the Avatar?" Iroh asked
"(turns around sharply to face Iroh as he slightly backs off) Don't mention his name on these docks. Once word gets out that he's alive, every fire bender will be out looking for him, and I don't want anyone getting in the way." Zuko said
I see some guy walking towards us.
"Getting in the way of what, Prince Zuko?" Zhao asked
"Captain Zhao." Zuko said
"It's commander now. And General Iroh. Great hero of our nation. (he then looks at me) And who might you be?" Zhao asked
"This is Kida, Iroh's new student." Zuko said
"Well you must really be something if the great General Iroh's is teaching you." Zhao said
"Retired general." Iroh said
"The Fire Lord's brother and son are welcome guests anytime. What brings you to my harbor?" Zhao asked
"Our ship is being repaired and Kida needs some new clothes." Iroh said
Iroh gestures toward the ship, we all look at it to see how severely damaged the ship is.
"That's quite a bit of damage." Zhao said
We started walking towards where the boutiques were.
"Yes. You wouldn't believe what happened. Uncle! Tell Commander Zhao what happened." Zuko said
Iroh's eyes open wide in surprise
"Yes. I will do that. It was incredible. (to Zuko from the corner of his mouth in a confused tone.) What? Did we crash or something?" Iroh asked
"Yes. Right into…an Earth Kingdom ship." Zuko said
I took everything in me not to laugh.
"(in disbelief) Really? You must regale me with all of the thrilling details." Zhao said
Zhao walked over to me.
"Come with me Kida, I'll be more than happy to show to the best boutique we have to offer." Zhao said
We walked into a boutique, we looked around. What surprised me was there was a blue outfit, it had white and gold gloves, and a blue pendant. Zhao and Zuko caught me looking at it.
"It's truly unique, very mush like you." Zhao said
I smiled, I walked past it and looked at the other clothing in the room. I only actually looked at a few things. Iroh bought them and had one of the men take the items back to the ship.
"Would you three like to join me for a cup of tea?" Zhao asked
"Sorry, but we have to go." Zuko said
Zhao smiles evilly at him as he starts to walk away, but after a few steps, Iroh place his hand on Zuko's shoulder.
"Prince Zuko, show Commander Zhao your respect. We would be honored to join you. Do you have any ginseng tea? It's my favorite." Iroh said
Iroh and Zhao start to walk away. Zuko grunts. I follow behind Iroh and Zhao, leaving Zuko in the shop. A few minutes passed before Zuko was walking with us again. We walked into one of the bigger tents. Zhao is standing in front of a map.
"…And by the year's end, the Earth Kingdom capital will be under our rule. The Fire Lord will finally claim victory in the war." Zhao said
"If my father thinks the rest of the world will follow him willingly, the he is a fool." Zuko said
"To years at sea have done little temper your tongue. So, how is your search for the Avatar going?" Zhao asked
Iroh who had been looking at a weapon display knocks it over. The weapons come crashing down wit a ton of noise. Zhao glares at Iroh.
"Eh…my fault, entirely." Iroh said
Iroh walks away with a smile on his face.
"We haven't found him yet." Zuko said
"Did you really expect to? The Avatar died a hundred years ago. Along with the rest of the airbenders. Unless you have found some evidence that the Avatar is alive?" Zhao asked
"I haven't found anything. It's like you said. The Avatar probably died a long time ago. Come on , Uncle, Kida, we're going." Zuko said
Zuko moves towards the exit, but a few guards stop him.
"Commander Zhao, we interrogated the crew as you instructed. They confirmed Prince Zuko had the Avatar in custody, but let him escape. They didn't say anything about the girl." the soldier said
"Now remind me, how, exactly, was your ship damaged?" Zhao asked
Zuko, Iroh, and I are sitting in chairs. While Zhao walks back and forth.
"So twelve-year-old boy bested you and your firebenders. You're more pathetic than I thought." Zhao said
"I underestimated him once, but it will not happen again." Zuko said
"No, it will not. Because you won't have a second chance." Zhao said
"Commander Zhao, I've been hunting the Avatar for two years and I-" Zuko said
"And you failed. Capturing the Avatar is too important to leave in a teenager's hands. He's mine now." Zhao said
Zuko controls some of his anger and jumps at Zhao, but before Zuko can reach the commander, two guards hold him back.
"Keep them here." Zhao said
Zhao walks out of the tent, leaving a angry panting Zuko. He kicks the table that is in front of Iroh and I and when the he kicked the table a arch of fire came from his foot and the fire . I let out a little scream and then pulled my arm to my chest. Zuko looked at me, he moved towards me, he reached out towards me but I pulled away. Zuko looked down and walked to the other side of the tent.
"Little one can I please see your arm?" Iroh asked
I shook my head. Iroh looked a little sad. One of the guards walked into the room, and over to me.
"Would you like to go to the medical tent?" the guard asked
"No thank you. It's not that bad, I was just startled." I said
"Let me know if you change your mind." the guard said
"Can we have more tea, please." Itoh said
The guard and left the tent. A few minutes pass before Zhao tents the tent. I still have my arm pulled to my chest.
"My search party is ready. Once I'm out to sea my guards will escort you back to your ship and you'll be free to go." Zhao said
"Why? Are you worried I'm going to try and stop you?" Zuko asked
Zhao starts to laugh.
"You? Stop me? Impossible." Zhao said
"Don't underestimate me Zhao. I will capture the Avatar before you." Zuko said
"Prince Zuko, that's enough." Iroh said
"You can't compete with me. I have hundreds of war ships under my command and you? You're just a banished prince. No home, no allies. Your own father doesn't even want you." Zhao said
"Your wrong! Once I deliver the Avatar to my father he will welcome me home with honor, and restore my rightful place on the throne." Zuko said
"If your father really wanted you home, he would have let you return by now, Avatar or no Avatar. But in his eyes, you are a failure and a disgrace to the Fire Nation." Zhao said
"That's not true." Zuko said
"You have the scar to prove it." Zhao said
With a cry of frustration, Zuko jolts up onto his chair and into Zhao's face.
"Maybe you'll like one to match." Zuko said
"Is that a challenge?" Zhao asked
"An Agni Kai. At sunset." Zuko said
"Very well. It's a shame your father won't be here to watch me humiliate you. I guess your uncle and the girl will do. (he looks at me) I would like to offer you the chance to come with me on my journey to capture the Avatar." Zhao said
He turned and left the tent.
"Prince Zuko, have you forgotten what happened last time you dueled a master?" Iroh asked
"I will never forget." Zuko said
- - - - - Time Skip to the Agni Kai - - - - -
Zhao is at one side of the arena and Zuko is at the other. Iroh and I are standing by Zuko. Zuko and Zhao are both barefoot and bare-chested.
"Remember your fire-bending basics, Prince Zuko. They are your greatest weapons." Iroh said
"I refuse to let him win." Zuko said
Zuko stands up turns around, as does Zhao.
"This will be over quickly." Zhao said
A Fire Nation soldier standing on higher grounds. He sees that the duo has readied themselves for battle, so he rings a large gong. Zuko and Zhao standing in the middle of the arena, both taking on a fire-bending stance. Zuko has his hands stretched out in front of him, glaring at Zhao. Zhao stands the same as Zuko. Zuko starts to lower his arms, leaving a trail of fire behind. Zuko directs a strong fire blast at Zhao. Zhao moves to the left, out of the way of the blast before moving back to the right to avoid another blast. The prince shoots two more strong blast at Zhao. Zhao crosses his arms in front of him and takes the blasts head on. He moves one arm up and the other down, dissipating the flames. He smirks at Zuko who is seen panting heavily with his arm still stretched out from his last attack. He angrily grinds his teeth and performs a roundhouse kick, spraying flames toward Zhao. Zhao creates his own flames to push away Zuko's blazing attack. He performs his trick again. Zuko squints his eyes and directs another powerful flame kick in Zhao's direction. A smirking Zhao holds his own fire ready. He launches forward. Shot of his feet, showing his strong stance as he swings his arms over the ground, severing Zuko's next attack. Zhao, seems unfazed by Zuko's attacks to Zuko, who is panting heavily with fatigue. Iroh, is holding his fist up while rooting for his nephew. I just stand quiet.
"Basics, Zuko. Break his root." Iroh said
Zhao ferociously attacks Zuko with a strong fire blast. Zuko is thrown back a bit by the force of the attack while he diverts the flames to both of his sides. Zhao takes a step forward. Zhao directs another powerful blast at the prince, using his both arms this time. Zuko is thrown back again but still diverts the fire away from him. Zhao takes another step forward and fires again with the same result on Zuko's side. Zhao firmly plants his foot down; he holds both wrists together and fires another strong blast. Zuko is thrown back upon impact and slides back several meters over the ground. He lifts his head while grunting in pain. His expression turns to one of shock as he looks up and sees that Zhao has jumped up and soaring through the skies toward him. With a loud scream, he lands at Zuko's feet, erects himself and thrusts his fist forward to deliver the final blow.
"Come on Zuko you can do it." I said
Zuko looked over at Iroh and I.
Zuko's eyes open wide in fright as the fire reflects in them. At the last possible second, Zuko rolls out of the way and swirling his feet around. Zuko as he, while getting up in this swirl, swipes Zhao's legs from underneath him. Zuko firmly plants them on the ground, he smiles confidently. Switch to a shot from over the ground as Zuko's steps forward, sliding fire at Zhao's feet, who steps back. Zhao is caught off balance and wobbles backward. Zuko keeps repeating his move, directing his attacks at Zhao's feet in an attempt to throw him off balance. Zhao falls back in distress and subsequently to Iroh, who smiles approvingly. Zuko directs a powerful kick at his adversary. Zhao barely pushes it out of the way while staggering back ever further. Zuko kicks again and this time he succeeds in knocking the commander over. Zhao falls down and rolls over the ground, where he ends up on his back. Zuko runs up at him and threatens him with an outstretched arm, ready to deliver the final blow. Zhao brings his head up and looks at Zuko.
"Do it." Zhao said
Zuko grunts and thrusts his fist forward, emitting another fire blast. Iroh and I move towards Zuko, we see a black spot on the ground next to Zhao's face.
"That's it? Your father raised a coward." Zhao said
"Next time you get in my way, I promise, I won't hold back." Zuko said
Zuko turns his back to Zhao and starts to walk away. Iroh is behind Zuko and I'm behind Iroh, I hear something I turn my head to see Zhao turning around and aims a powerful kick at us, spreading his flames. I turn grab his foot, dissipating the flames. I tosses him back and when I do with flames come from my hand. I could hear all the gasps from the firebenders around. Zuko goes to charge at Zuko but I grab his arm.
"No, Prince Zuko. Do no taint your victory. So this is how the great Commander Zhao acts in defeat? Disgraceful. Even in exile, my nephew is ore honorable than you. Thanks again for the tea. It was delicious." Iroh said
Iroh, Zuko, and I turn and walk away. I let go Zuko's arm.
"Did you really mean that, Uncle?" Zuko asked
"Of course. I told you ginseng tea is my favorite." Iroh said
We walk away and back to the ship. We get on the ship, Zuko heads up the captain to tell that we will be leaving soon, I head back to Zuko's room. Earlier I had wrapped my arm, I un-wrapped it. I could it was going to scare. I heard the door open in close, I turned my head to see Zuko. I started to wrap my arm back up, when Zuko reached up and grabbed my arm.
"Stop. Let me see it." Zuko said
"No." I said
He reached his other hand up and pulled on the clothe, it fell to the floor. Now you could clearly see the burn.
"You should have went to the med tent when that guard offered." Zuko said
"No I shouldn't have. I'm not going to willingly go some where with a fire bender." I said
Zuko moved over to his table and pulled a jar.
"Sit down." Zuko said
I sat down on his bed. He opened the jar and put what ever was in it on the burn. It was cool when touched the burn.
"It'll scare but, at least it won't be as bad red and it won't hurt to much." Zuko said
Zuko put a little more of the gel like stuff on the burn before closing and putting it away.
"I'm sorry for burning you, and I told you so." Zuko said
I start to laugh.
"Why are you laughing?" Zuko asked
"Because a few seconds ago you were so serious and then you got cocky." I said
"Guess I did. Is that why you asked about color of fire?" Zuko asked
"Kind of. When the fire nation attacked the south pole the last time they all had red fire, different shades of red but they were all red. Then when you and Iroh thawed that ice I could feel the difference in the heat of your guys flames." I said
We sat in silence for a few minutes. Before Zuko broke the silence.
"Don't tell any on the ship what Zhao said." Zuko said
"I won't as long as you don't tell anyone I know what's it like." I said
"What do you mean?" Zuko asked
"My father blames me for my mother's death." I said
"Care to explain?" Zuko asked
"Nope. Enough personal sharing for one day." I said
Zuko smiled, I moved over to the bag of clothes that Iroh had bought me at the port. It was night out, and I laid done to go to bed.
"You are not sleeping on the floor with a burned arm." Zuko said
"It's fine. Plus the cold floor with feel good." I said
We had the same conversation about who was going to sleep in the bed every night since I got on the ship. I knew we would probably have this conversation again. Zuko left the room and I changed into something to wear to sleep. I laid down and fell asleep.
