Arriving at the village, out of breath and wild-eyed they came across the entire village staring at them like common traitors. One woman came forward and pointing an offending finger towards Zephyr shouted, "IT WAS HER! I ALWAYS KNEW THAT IT WAS A ABAD IDEA TO LET A FIRE NATION KID LIVE HERE!" she spat the word Fire Nation venomously and marching towards Zephyr, who stood there with a face like a mask, and slapped her face. "SHE HAS KILLED US ALL!" she wailed, slapping Zephyr viciously again. Anyone could see that Zephyr was having a hard time controlling her temper.
The woman wheeled her hand back to slap Zephyr again when Gran Gran's voice cut through the air, "Don't you dare touch another hair on my grand-daughters head." stepping out form the crowd she walked over to Zephyr and touching her red cheek, ignoring the way it burned her fingers she said in a soft voice, "Are you three all right?"
Zephyr, unable to smile only nodded, while the woman stared at Gran Gran, her mouth gaping like a fish. "YOU WOULD CHOOSE SOME FIRE NATION BRAT, OVER YOUR OWN TRIBE!" she yelled incredulously.
Gran Gran faced her, and looked at her like she was some sort of disgusting thing that she had stepped in and said in a voice like the ice that surrounded them, "You, Azmina, have always been a spiteful and wicked woman and I would sooner put out my eyes than spend another moment looking at you, get out of my sight." she spat, and the woman whirled away, taking two children with her as she ran.
Turning back to them Gran Gran retained her grave expression and said, "Katara, Zephyr, you know that it is forbidden to go on that ship?" only to be interrupted by Aang.
"Actually, Zephyr didn't't go on the ship and Katara only came because I persuaded her to."
"But that still doesn't't change the fact that the Fire Nation could've saw that flare and is on their way here now, so to your battle stations!" and with that he stomped away to put on his war paint.
"Sokka is right, the Fire Nation is probably on their way here now, Aang you must hide, and you too Zephyr." Gran Gran continued, "Zephyr take Aang to the cave and stay there no matter what happens."
Zephyr nodded and grabbing Aang started taking him over to the back of the village, but once they had gotten out of sight of Gran Gran wheeled around and hid behind a tent. "Um Zephyr, I don't think this is the Cave." Aang queried looking concerned.
Zephyr looked at him like he was crazy, "I know that!" she hissed, "Do you think I'm going to leave my family at the mercy of the Fire Nation?" she asked dubiously. "In the Cave we can't help them if they need us, so we're staying out here." she explained.
"YES!" Aang exclaimed in a whisper, "I was hoping you'd say that."
Suddenly Aang was interrupted when Sokka emerged out of the tent next to them. Catching sight of them he opened his mouth to say something when Zephyr yanked him down, "Don't say anything Sokka, please!" Zephyr pleaded, then when Sokka nodded she pulled him close for a hug, saying, "Be safe." then letting him go pushed him up and away.
He stayed there for a moment looking back at Zephyr as she gravely looked onward, then putting on a brave face walked to the top of the ridge surrounding the camp.
The fog was thick as the sun started setting and you could only hear a distant rumbling growing louder and louder. Suddenly a ship emerged out of the mist, newer looking then the ship they'd been on, but still shabby. Headed right for Sokka. "SOKKA GET OUT OF THERE!" cried Katara and Zephyr both as Sokka stood frozen in front of the ship. Reaching the wall it broke through easily and Sokka slid away on a clump of snow. Falling off eh was buried as the ship ploughed forward.
All was still for a moment, then with a hiss of steam the spike at the front opened down into a ramp out of which several fire benders walked the fore most one being only a teenager, sixteen years old it looked. His helmet almost masked the scar covering the left side of his face, but even still his eyes looked calculating and with a cold determination. Walking forward he stopped in front of the gathering of frightened villagers, and with a commanding voice called out, "Well where is he?" to the assembly. When he received no answer he reached out towards Katara and grabbing Gran Gran pulled her towards him. Zephyr almost leapt up from her hiding spot but was restrained by Aang who saw that Gran Gran wasn't in life threatening peril yet.
The teenager continued, "He be about this old, master of all elements?" shaking Kanna by the back of her parka with each word. Sokka was still buried under three feet of snow. Zephyr was struggling now more than ever to leap up out of her hiding place. Disgusted with the lack of answers Zuko threw Kanna forward and blasted a nearby tent. At that, Zephyr extricated herself from Aang and jumped up, throwing a clumsy fire blast at Zuko, who easily dodged and looked at her surprised.
"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" he sneered. "A traitor it looks like, then beckoning Zephyr forward he gestured to his soldiers to form a ring. Zephyr stepped past the group of villagers, and past Gran Gran and Katara, who, when she passed, Katara called out a "NO, GO BACK, PLEASE ZEPHYR!" but Zephyr only smiled reassuringly at them.
Stepping through the ring of fire benders she walked up to Zuko and said in a voice like ice, "Don't you dare touch my grandmother again."
Zuko only smiled, amused with this apparent traitors cheek, and leaning in close he said in a voice like butter, "Oh maybe not your grandmother but that other one there, beside her, maybe her." at Zephyr's enraged look he saw that he had struck a cord. "It's funny that you think you belong here." he said chuckling slightly. "I suppose it's our duty to bring you back to the Fire Nation then come clo-" but he was cut off as Zephyr spit in his face.
Enraged he brought his hand up to strike her when Sokka, having released himself from the snow threw his boomerang. Hearing the whoosh of the boomerang he ducked it in time and it flew off into the sky. Sokka rolled into the circle with Zephyr, growling to her, "When the evil fire bender says come here, you go the other way." and with that he lunged with his spear, only to have Zuko deflect it and snap it in half. Weapon less he fell back flat Zephyr's feet, who kneeled down to help him up.
Seeing a glint in the sky behind Zuko Zephyr laughed moments before the Boomerang came zooming back to smack Zuko in the back of the head, causing his helmet to sit on his head awkwardly.
Furious he stepped forward until he was towering over Zephyr and Sokka and grabbing Zephyr's hood pulled her over to him until she was slouched against his leg, facing out towards the tribe. They saw how she grabbed at her hood, trying to get free. "We'll be taking this one with us, now tell me where is the Avatar!" he thundered.
Katara cried out, "NO, DON'T TAKE HER, PLEASE!" at Zuko's announcement. Gran Gran only closed her eyes and prayed that this wasn't happening.
"You'd better tell me, or the worse it'll be for her." Zuko threatened, Zephyr had out her mask on, trying to keep her emotions inside and hidden. Crying in front of them would only lead them to think that they could walk all over her.
"Here I am!" came a clear voice. Zuko looked over and spotted Aang walking calmly towards the group of Fire Benders.
"You're the Avatar," he asked disbelievingly. "But you're just a kid." he finished with scorn in his voice.
Aang shrugged and answered, "But you're just a teenager."
Zuko chuckled darkly, "Grab him." was all he replied and three fire benders jumped forward, two taking hold of Aangs arms, and the other grabbing his staff. "We're leaving." and with that he jerked Zephyr upwards and dragged her over to the ramp.
"NO!" Katara screamed, running forward she reached Sokka and kneeling beside him she looked up, tears running down her face. "NO," she called again, looking hopelessly at the group as Zephyr half-walked, half-dragged up the ramp and Aang was pushed.
Reaching the top of the ramp, Zuko put his face close to Zephyr's and said, "Say goodbye to your family." grinning cruelly.
Zephyr still had her mask expression on and shook her head mutely, she knew that if she spoke she would break. Instead she looked at Katara and Sokka, sprawled in the snow, the helpless look on Sokka's face, the tears in Katara's and the pain on Gran Grans. Shaking her head again she looked straight ahead. Aang looked down at Katara smiling a reassuring smile, but as the ramp raised shut it fell from his face.
With that the ship pulled out of the camp and set off.
On board the ship, Zuko, Zephyr and Aang, not to mention the soldiers that restrained them were standing on deck. "Set a course for the Fire Nation." Zuko ordered a nearby soldier as his Uncle Iroh came up.
"And who is this beautiful young lady?" Iroh asked his nephew smiling as he bent over to kiss Zephyr's hand. When Iroh tried to take it though, Zephyr grabbed it out of his reach, the mask on her face threatening to break. Seeing this Iroh turned to Zuko and suggested, "Maybe you should have the girl stationed in your private chambers." solemnly looking at the girl, who the crew was ogling hungrily.
Seeing this Zuko nodded, "Maybe you're right Uncle." he conceded, before turning to the remaining soldiers he ordered, "Take the girl to my chambers, no one is to disturb her, and take the Avatar to the brig." then he walked away.
Zephyr looked around her absent minded as she was herded to Zuko's chambers by the fat old man who had walked up. Once she was there she kept her mask up the entire time, sitting in the middle of the floor on the plush carpet decorated with the fire nation symbol. Her mind was full of memories of her time in the death ship that had brought her to her family. Pulling her knees up she hugged them to herself, taking comfort in them.
In the meantime Aang was being escorted below decks by two soldiers, one in front and the other behind. On the way Aang decided to take a stab at conversation. "So you two are fire benders right." when he didn't receive an answer he continued, "I guess you've never fought an air bender before?" he asked. Receiving no answer he added, "I bet I could take you both with my hands tied."
He got a reaction our of this but it was only a stern order of, "No Talking."
Aang's smile faded as he was led farther and farther into the depths of the ship. Soon they came to a hallway lined with cells, all empty. Leading him past the first couple they brought him to the last one where they unlocked three locks and opened the door to a room with four manacles coming from the wall.
Dragging him over to these they untied his hands and buckled the two topmost chains to his hands, and the two bottom ones to his feet, giving him limited movement, not enough to Air bend, but enough that he could stretch his arms to a degree. Smirking the soldiers left him there, taking up positions on either side of the door.
Meanwhile Zephyr was trying her hardest to get her memories under control when Zuko entered the room. He had put off going to his chambers, in order to give his new captive time to adjust better. Entering he closed the door behind him before standing awkwardly in the doorway.
Zephyr only looked on, her expression hidden behind her mask. Zuko found it unnerving and wished that she would look away, but she didn't. The look in her eyes stabbed at him, screaming at him that he, he alone had taken her away from the only people who'd ever loved her. He stood there, looking back at her thinking about what he did until the shame became to great and he put up his own mask. The one he had created in his youth, to hide pain, and anger. Zephyr blinked as she saw him putting up a mask, why did he have one? He was a spoiled palace brat.
"You can have the bed." he said gesturing towards it, quietly. Zephyr stood up, and pulling off her parka to reveal a black open tunic over a grey long shirt, held with a black belt, over red leggings. There were bandages over her arms, and when she removed her boots her legs also.
Looking at him staring she asked in a dead voice, "Where are you going to sleep?"
Zuko flinched at the sound of her voice, and looking around pointed to the small couch he kept. It was uncomfortable to sleep on, and to short for him, but he wasn't going to make her sleep on it. No matter what he'd said at the raid, he was a gentleman. "What's your name?" he asked hesitantly, still a little awkward.
Zephyr stopped short at the question, looking at him she saw that he looked uneasy. "Zephyr." she answered, a little life coming back into her voice.
Zuko looked up as she spoke, heartened that she sounded a little better than before, "My name's Zuko." he replied, smiling a little.
"Hmm, I see. Well then good night Zuko." Zephyr responded a little colder than before. Zuko's heart sank a little as Zephyr walked over to the bed and sinking down onto it lay down on top of the covers and stayed still.
After a few seconds Zuko took of his armour and lay down on the couch. His shaggy hair reaching down into his eyes as he watched the still form of the girl sleeping on his bed. He wondered how he could prove himself to this strange girl, with orange hair, that he wasn't as bad as he made himself out to be. That he was never going to hurt anyone. That he needed the Avatar to get his honour back. He wondered why he felt the need to. Zuko fell asleep pondering over his dilemma as it slept on.
The sun rose on a sleepless Katara, her face turned towards the red sun. She tried to ignore the ominous prediction that came with the colour, but couldn't stop it from eating at the back of her mind. Her sister was gone, and Aang was gone, and there was no hope left. Katara almost laughed aloud at that thought. No hope, for the first time, there was no hope.
Sokka had been walking around behind her for the last hour, doing what she didn't care or want to know. "We have to go after them Sokka." she said her voice ringing clear through the cold air. "We have to get our sister back!" Katara continued disregarding Sokka's attempts at a reply. "And I know you don't like Aang, but we have to get Zephyr back, we have to." Katara finished in a whisper as she thought about her adopted sister. She'd always been a strange sort of mixture between Sokka and herself, but with a toughness that neither had much of. "I miss her." Katara added, trying to hold back tears.
Opening her mouth to continue Katara was cut off by Sokka, "KATARA! Are you going to sit around talking about saving them all day, or are you going to come with me?" Sokka asked, smiling gently at his sister.
Katara's face lit up, whirling around she saw him standing by a small canoe, already paked with supplies. Beaming she ran to her brother and tackled him, screaming, "SOKKA!" in a voice that oozed happiness and hope.
Sokka chuckled, ruffling his little sister's hair. "Come on, get in." he said, holding his hand out to help her in.
"Just where do you think you two are going?" sounded a stern voice behind them. Sokka and Katara froze, then realizing they'd been caught they turned slowly, ashamed expressions on their hanging heads. Gran Gran stood before them, her stoic face expressionless. "You'll need these." she smiled suddenly, holding out heavy sleeping bags. "It gets chilly at night out at sea." she explained. Katara and Sokka beamed at her. "Now go and get my little granddaughter, and then go help Aang. The Avatar is the worlds last hope, but he can't do it alone." Gran Gran finished smiling wider.
Hugging Katara she said, "Be safe my little Water Bender," and hugging Sokka, she said, "And you my brave warrior, be nice to your sisters."
Sokka sighed as he returned the shorter woman's hug, "Alright Gram." he groaned, smiling the whole time.
Katara turned to the small canoe that Sokka had packed, "But we're not going to catch a fire navy ship in this," she gestured dismissively at the small water craft. A loud rumble was heard to the right, looking over Katara saw Appa climbing the ridge, "APPA!" she cried, running towards him.
"You just love taking me out of my comfort zone, don't ya." Sokka grumbled at his sisters retreating form.
Zuko woke to find the bed across the room empty, swearing he leapt up and dashed out of the room. Strangely he wasn't so worried about Zephyr escaping, than that the crew had got to her. Tearing into the galley he stopped short to find her sitting comfortably, drinking tea with Iroh. Walking up, furious that he had shown so much emotion, he slammed his hands down on the table, they both barely started, just glanced at each other, and continued sipping their tea. "Why Is She Out Here?" Zuko demanded, gesturing violently at Zephyr, who just smiled at Iroh.
"Well I found her wandering the halls and asked her if she wanted any breakfast." Iroh explained, "She accepted my invitation and here we are." he finished gesturing around them.
Looking down Zuko saw bowls of food on the table and on several surrounding them. The crew was waiting on Zephyr, apparently transfixed with the newest addition to their crew. "Your crew is very polite, Zuko." Zephyr commented, still sipping her tea. Standing up and stretching she turned to Iroh and said, "I would like to see Aang now." her gaze not wavering from Iroh's face.
Iroh looked down, "Well you see, Miss Zephyr, this is my nephews ship, not mine," patting Zuko on the shoulder as he sat. "You'd have to ask him." Iroh finished, picking up his cooling tea.
Zephyr turned to Zuko then and said, "Could I see Aang?" she asked, looking Zuko in the eyes.
Zuko looked up at her, his eyes curious. "Why would you want to see him?" he demanded, a hidden emotion in his eyes.
"Because, he's my friend." Zephyr answered with a shrug, "If you were captured on an enemy ship and had only one friend, aside from you Iroh," she added to calm the older man's outburst, "Wouldn't you want to see them?" she finished looking at Zuko to see his reaction.
His expression was hidden as he answered, "Go see him then, take a crew member-" but his last words were unheard as the entire assembled crew started calling out offers. Zephyr looked mildly surprised as she picked one of the younger members of the crew and led the way out of the galley. Zuko looked suspicious as he watched the youth follow Zephyr eagerly out of the warm dining room.
"Jealous, Prince Zuko?" Iroh asked into his cup.
Zuko slammed the table, shouting, "WHAT?" at his lazy uncle, who just shrugged. Zuko shook his head in disgust as he got up and stalked from the table, shouting behind his back, "I'M GOING FOR A WALK!" then slammed the door. Iroh smiled as he heard his nephew stomping down the metal hallway.
"Thank you, could you just wait outside?" Zephyr asked the younger crew member who'd accompanied her. He was sweet boy, though a little young to be working on a navy ship.
He nodded and opened the door for Zephyr who stepped in, saying in a quiet voice, "I'll leave it unlocked for you." then stood outside the door, his arms crossed.
Zephyr entered the room and the first thing she saw was Aang slumped in the corner. Rushing towards him she touched his shoulder, unsure whether he'd been hurt or not. As her hand slowly woke him he opened his eyes, saying in a raspy voice, "Zephyr?" almost as if he couldn't believe it.
"Are you okay Aang?" she asked concern for her friend coating her voice.
Aang looked around groggily, "Yeah, I think so, why aren't you tied up, where'd they put you?" he asked worry for Zephyr crinkling his brow.
"I'm fine, I've been living in Zuko's rooms." she explained, when she saw Aangs look of concern deepen, she added, "It's fine Aang, he hasn't been nice, but he hasn't been horrible either."
Aang settled down back into his corner, weakly rattling the chains that connected his hands and feet to the wall. "Have they been feeding you?" Zephyr asked, the concern not leaving her face. Aang sighed and nodded, looking at the floor. Suddenly they heard shouts from the deck, Zephyr ran to the barred porthole and looked out, seeing Katara and Sokka on Appa she called to Aang excitement in her voice, "It's Kat and Socks, Zombie, it's them, they've come to get us." he face beaming at the thought of seeing her brother and sister again.
Aang was instantly rejuvenated, jumping up he shook his shackles, making them rattle very loudly. "Help me get these off!" he cried, "Use your fire bending!" then he stopped seeing Zephyr's face freeze. "Zephyr," he began slowly, "I can't get them all off in time, you have to help me." he repeated slowly, wondering at the expression covering Zephyrs face. Snapping back to the present, Zephyr nodded and took hold of his right arm, her hands almost uncomfortably warm, and she grasped the chain, leading to his manacle and it began to melt. Aang set to work, pushing the tumblers open with wind currents from his mouth. Between the two of them they got the chains off quickly, though there was still two manacles on Aang, one on his arm, and another on his foot.
Running to the door, Aang trying to clank as little as possible Zephyr pushed it open a bit. The boy was no longer standing outside, probably ran to the deck once the yelling started. Pushing it open all the way they darted down the hall, trying to keep as quiet as possible. Suddenly Aang stopped, slapping his head he exclaimed, "I forgot my staff!" then turning to Zephyr, "You finish heading for the deck, I'll catch up."
He turned to run but Zephyr grabbed his hand, "Promise?" she demanded looking him in the eye.
"Promise." Aang nodded, and he was off. Zephyr turned and ran, down the rest of the hall, darting into corners whenever anybody ran past.
She was almost to the door when suddenly someone grabbed her arm. Looking back she saw Zuko, looking surprised at himself gripping her arm with both hands. "Let Go." she demanded, staring at him.
Zuko shook his head, and gripped tighter, "Never." he answered quietly.
Zephyr shook her head, sadness covering her face, "Let go please." she whispered, "Please." Zuko shook his head again and pulled her back. Zephyr felt her arm heating up, and looking at him she said, "I'm sorry." before a blast of fire shot from the palm of her hand, knocking Zuko back down the hall. He gripped his side, where the blast had struck him. He realized that she had tried to point it away from him, maybe she couldn't control it, He thought.
Looking up, through the pain he saw her standing at the end of the hall , her head bowed and then she turned, but not before looking straight at him. That was the last thing Zuko saw before he blacked out. Zephyr stood for a moment, looking back at Zuko, before she turned and ran. Bursting up onto the deck she saw Appa land and Aang fly out of the other stairwell, his staff in his hand. A dozen or so soldiers followed him out, but he was already high in the air.
Spotting Zephyr they took of towards her, doing everything in their power to at least keep one of the prisoners from escaping. Sokka called out, "ZEPGYR RUN!" still up on Appa, as he tried his hardest to get off Appa quickly, without tumbling. Sokka's voice made Zephyr jump and she took off running towards the bison with all her might. Arrows shot up at Aang as he looped around in the air above the boat, one, catching him on his arm sent him crashing to the ground, his staff skittering away. Aang staggered upright, clutching his arm he dodged a blast of fire from a guard. Another and another followed and soon Aang was nearing the side of the boat.
The soldiers, meanwhile, had caught up with Zephyr and had her pinned, her arms behind her back. "Let me go." was all she said, making the guards laugh scornfully.
"Make us little girl." one said in her ear. They all laughed again, only to be blown back about five meters when she exploded. Staggering up she scrambled towards the bison, who Katara and Sokka had got off of to help her. Meeting them there they both watched Aang was he tried in vain to stay on the boat.
A last blast of fire sent him tipping, then he was gone, disappearing over the edge. Katara froze, then began screaming "AANG, AANG." with all her might. The soldiers were getting the upper hand, they already were pinning Appa down and the girls and Sokka were having a hard time staying free. Zuko appeared on the deck, supported by Iroh as he watched the battle, particularly one girl, Zephyr.
Katara still screamed Aang's name when she could, when suddenly Aang rose up out of the ocean on a vortex of water. His eyes were glowing white-blue, like when they had found him, and his face was stonily unforgiving. Manipulating the water easily and fluidly he dashed the soldiers from the deck. Slowly lowering himself down from the swirling pillar of water he reached the deck, where his marks faded and he collapsed. Katara ran forward, holding his head on her lap she asked, "Are you okay?" distress colouring her voice.
Aang looked up at her answering, "Yes, where's my staff." looking around him, "What happened?" he asked looking in surprise.
"We'll tell you later." Zephyr assured him running up to help Katara get Aang onto Appa. Sokka ran to get Aang's staff, and dashing back he ran up Appa's tail shouting "YIP YIP." as he did.
Zephyr looked down at the deck, staring at a teenage boy standing, half supported by an older man. A teenage boy looking straight back at her.
"Follow them." Zuko ordered the dripping wet soldiers gathered around him.
"Zuko, the ship is too damaged, we cannot set off after them until the repairs are complete." Iroh said cautiously, looking about him at all the damage. Half the ship looked like an iceberg had crashed into it.
Zuko breathed steam as he ordered, "Dock at the nearest port and repair the ship." then he walked back to his cabin, holding his bandaged wound lightly. Once he arrived there, he fell asleep, falling onto his bed heavily, though careful not to strain his injury, and dreamed, about a girl with red hair.
Half an hour later, Katara had finished whittling down the last detail of Aang's momentous rescue. "It was the most amazing thing I've ever seen." she exclaimed, Zephyr and Sokka, who were sitting behind her nodded.
"Why didn't't you tell us you were the Avatar?" Zephyr asked quietly, knowing that it was a hard question.
Aang didn't't look up as he answered, "Because I never wanted to be."