Equivalent Exchange
Chapter 24: Discoveries
Zuko moved forward a bit and Katara stepped back, the two looking like they were engaged in some bizarre dance.
"Don't come any closer," she ordered angrily. "Just because Bumi said we could trust you, doesn't mean that I do or that I ever will."
The prince's good eye widened and he reached out with his hand for a moment before dropping it back down by his side. He felt Mai move up beside him. She linked arms with him and then edged backward, dragging Zuko with her.
"Look at the girl, Zuko," she hissed. "I mean, really look at her. What do you see?"
"Um, what do you mean?" he asked.
Mai rolled her eyes and gave his arm a tug. Katara was watching them warily.
"She's terrified for one thing and she's furious," Mai observed. "Look at her posture. Look at her eyes. And her hand is hovering over that water pouch thing of hers."
"Oh, oh yeah, I see," Zuko stated.
"You're going to have to learn to read people better, Zuko. You'll need that skill when you're Fire Lord."
There was that 'when' instead of 'if' again.
"I'll work on it. So, what should I do?" the prince asked.
"Try again," Mai said and gave him a little push.
Iroh and Jee meanwhile watched all this with amusement. Zuko gave the girl the friendliest smile he could muster up and then started again.
"I understand why you don't trust us. The Fire Nation has given you no reason to ever trust it or anyone from there," he began more eloquently.
"At least you're telling the truth about that," Katara agreed. "The Fire Nation killed my mother. It took my father away to fight in the war. The rest of the men in our tribe are gone too. And Aang is the only airbender left because of you people."
She pointed at Zuko and the rest of the group. Her eyes blazed with a terrible fury and pain.
"I know," Zuko said softly. "We visited the air temples. We saw."
"What were you doing there, learning from the work of your ancestors?"Katara asked viciously.
"No," Zuko replied honestly. "I was looking for the Avatar. When my father banished me he gave me one hope to cling to; if I captured the Avatar, I could come home again with my honour restored."
"So you admit that you were hunting Aang?" she asked incredulously.
"Yes, I admit it, but I realize now that the world needs the Avatar and I want to help him all that I can."
"I don't believe you," Katara replied. "You're all the same; you and your prissy girlfriend…"
Mai arched her delicate eyebrows and crossed her arms under her breasts; prissy indeed.
".…and your uncle and that other guy. You finally walked out of the palace and saw the real world. Aren't you wonderful? I guess we should all be grateful the prince of the Fire Nation wants to help."
Zuko dropped his head into his hands and groaned with exasperation.
"What can we do to prove our good intentions?" he asked. "I know that Bumi's a little bit strange but he's certainly not stupid. Don't you think he would have seen through any lies we told?' We lived with him for six months!"
"I don't know," Katara replied. "I'll go along with what Aang wants. But I'll be watching you, all of you."
"Geez, do I have to beg?" Zuko muttered under his breath. "Why is it always so damn hard?"
"That went well," Mai remarked dryly.
"Let me have a go," Iroh suggested.
He walked toward Katara slowly and smiled that warm smile of his, the one that lit up his amber eyes.
"Young lady, what is your name first of all? We can't have a decent conversation if we don't know each other a little bit. I'm Iroh and Zuko is my nephew. So, yes, the Fire Lord is my much younger brother. And the lovely young woman over there is Mai. She and Zuko are very much in love and will marry one day. The other man is Jee. He came along on Zuko's banishment as a favor to me and decided to stick with us after Zhao blew up our ship."
"Fine," the waterbender pouted. "My name is Katara and I'm from the Southern Water Tribe. My brother's name is Sokka and well, you already know about Aang. Wait, did you say Zhao?"
"Yes, Zhao, do you know the name?" Iroh asked.
"He attacked us on Kyoshi Island. He was horrible and even tried to burn the entire village down because he was so angry. He really wants to capture Aang."
"Sounds like Zhao," Mai agreed.
"Ah, already," Iroh said and shook his head. "I'm certain that pursuit will be relentless. Commander Zhao enjoys the hunt and he enjoys the kill even more. We can help you with him, if you let us."
"Like I said, I don't trust you, but I'll do what Aang wants. He's the one this Zhao is after."
"So where is Aang and where is your brother. You seemed upset when we arrived."
"They've disappeared. An angry spirit has been taking people at night and attacking the village. Aang tried to help and then Sokka joined him. Now, they're both gone."
"I'm sorry to hear that," Iroh replied. "Perhaps they've been taken to the spirit world. I'm sure they'll be returned safely."
The conversation stopped then and the ensuing silence was awkward. Villagers milled about Zuko's group, curious about the newest strangers. Iroh talked someone into making tea for everyone and he and Jee with Mai and Zuko nearby, sipped and waited. Katara eyed them darkly every so often then went back to petting the air bison and staring forlornly through the village gate into the decimated forest.
When sunset came, the Avatar reappeared, sailing through the sky on his glider. As soon as he landed, Katara was upon him, asking about her brother. Aang just shook his head. The girl pointed over at Zuko sitting on the steps of the village hall. Aang approached them and Katara followed right behind.
"He's so small," Mai whispered to her betrothed.
"Don't underestimate him because of his size," Iroh chastised mildly.
Zuko stood up when Aang reached the steps and gave the Avatar a traditional Fire Nation bow. The boy returned it and then grinned at Zuko.
"My friend, Kuzon, taught me to bow like that. He was from the Fire Nation too."
"Oh," replied Zuko. "So, I guess you know who I am and why I'm here."
"Yes, Bumi told us everything. I appreciate your help."
He took in Mai, Jee and Iroh with his grey eyes giving a friendly smile to each.
"I'm glad you do," Mai drawled and then glanced at Katara.
The waterbender's eyes narrowed and she frowned at Mai.
"Look," Aang said. "I can't talk. The spirit will be back now that the sun is setting. I need to figure out a way to calm it down so we can get the villagers and Sokka back. You might want to get inside. And there's something else too. I'll tell you all about it later."
Heeding Aang's advice, the group along with Katara headed inside.
"He seems reasonable," Mai observed. "He didn't even bat an eye."
Shortly after, spirit crisis over, Sokka and the missing villagers returned, Aang informed them of his news.
"I have to talk to Roku," he said urgently. "His animal guide came to me in the Spirit World and took me to Roku's temple on a crescent shaped island. I have to speak to him there on the solstice."
"But that's tomorrow," Katara stated.
"I know. I need to get going now."
Throughout Aang's speech, Sokka shot looks at Zuko, eyeing him up and down critically and moving to protect his sister if the prince so much as scratched his neck.
"Are you going to tell them where this island is?" Zuko asked.
"Oh yeah," Aang replied meekly. "It's in the Fire Nation."
"What?" Sokka exclaimed. "We are not going to the Fire Nation, uh, uh, no way."
"You're right," Aang replied. "You're not. I am. I won't endanger either of you. You're like my family now."
"Wait," Zuko interjected. "Let me go with you. The temple is full of fire sages and they're not loyal to the Avatar any longer. They're loyal to my father. They'll fight you. They'll try to capture you. And even if you make it by them, how are you going to get inside to see Roku? You need firebending to open the temple door. And besides all that, Roku is my great grandfather. I would like to see his temple. I might not get another chance."
"Roku is your what?" all three of them asked at once.
"He's my great grandfather, my mother's grandfather."
"I don't believe you," Katara spat venomously. "That's a lie. You just want to get close to Aang."
"Zuko can't tell a lie without stammering and going red," Mai informed them. "When he's lying, you'll know."
"And why should I believe you? You're nothing but a, but a girlfriend, waiting to marry into the royal family."
Mai sucked in her breath and stared icily at the waterbender.
"You know nothing of my relationship with Zuko. I'm warning you now, to keep your petty comments to yourself."
"I assure you that Zuko is telling the truth," Iroh said, stepping in firmly. He put a hand on Mai's shoulder, both reassuring and restraining. "He has in his possession the head piece that Roku wore for most of his life, the one that Sozin gave him."
"This is getting too weird," Sokka remarked. "I can't believe we're talking with the Fire Lord's son and brother. And now we find out that Aang and Zuko are sort of related, in a weird, Avatary, spirit kind of way."
"Stop it everyone," Aang shouted. "This isn't the time to argue or discuss things. I need to get going now. And I think that Zuko should come with me."
"If he's going, we're going," Katara said adamantly.
She indicated herself and Sokka.
"Then I'm going too," Mai stated. "I'm not leaving Zuko alone with the two of you."
"Katara, it's the Fire Nation," Aang pleaded.
"We're not staying behind and that's that," the blue eyed girl declared.
"I suppose that Jee and I will wait here with the ostrich horses then, if that's alright with these fine villagers. Remember Zuko and Mai, if you get caught, it could be your lives. Please, take care."
There was a mumble of assents. The village leader moved forward to thank Aang for his courageous assistance and offered to help in any way he could.
"Well, when we get back, you could resupply us," Sokka suggested. "I'm all for practicalities."
"Yes, with pleasure," the man replied. "Now, the sun has set. You really must be on your way. Crescent Island is a long journey."
Zuko took Mai's hand and followed along behind Aang, Katara and Sokka. They both looked back at Iroh and Jee, lifting their hands goodbye.
"Good luck and be careful," the two men shouted. "And try to get along."
As the five young people approached Appa, Mai's grip on Zuko's hand grew tighter.
"I'm not sure I want to get on that thing," she whispered.
"He's not a thing," Aang said brightly. "His name is Appa. And he's great. Hop on."
Mai climbed up onto the saddle gracefully. Appa bellowed loudly and then snorted. Zuko followed and sat beside Mai. The Water Tribe siblings took seats across from Mai and Zuko while Aang sat on the bison's head and steered.
Mai looked at Katara and Katara looked back at Mai.
"This isn't at all awkward," Mai stated and leaned into Zuko.
Appa took flight and within a few minutes they were over the ocean and on their way to the Crescent Isle.
Commander Zhao sat below deck eating his breakfast. He was irritable now and had been irritable for days. After the fiasco on Kyoshi Island, which he had dutifully reported to Fire Lord Ozai, minus a few embarrassing details, he had been assigned to head up the blockade of Fire Nation waters. It was the largest gathering of vessels in one spot that Zhao had ever seen. He didn't understand the need, personally. It was obvious that the Avatar was headed north, not south or west. The little boy was not planning an invasion of the Fire Nation. And neither the Earth Kingdom nor the Water Tribes had ever dared to even approach Fire Nation waters. So why exactly was he here? Perhaps it was a punishment for his failure.
He wanted to follow the Avatar, catch the miserable brat and watch him squirm in chains while he got promoted to Admiral, not sit on his hands here waiting for something to happen. Soon enough, he thought, willing himself to calm down. But he was not a patient man.
Sokka had one hand on his boomerang and the other on his club. He sat close to Katara, almost in front of her and never took his eyes off Mai and Zuko. Mai had one hand up her sleeve, resting on the hilt of a knife.
"So, Princey, what's your real story?' he asked.
"You know everything you need to know," Zuko replied. "I think the war is wrong and I want to help end it. Why is that so hard to believe?"
It was morning now, the sun just coming up and the sky was a spectacular palette of oranges and yellows and pinks. Zuko and Mai had seen their share of ocean sunrises but not from this height. It was magnificent. The couple looked around them taking in the scenery. It was easier than staring ahead into two sets of wary blue eyes.
"Well, let's see," Sokka mused. "Your father is the Fire Lord, you're from the Fire Nation and Fire Nation people are evil, you're the prince of the Fire Nation. Shall I go on?"
"Yes, my father is the Fire Lord but I can't help that. He's never been a real father to me anyway. He gave me this," Zuko pointed to his scar, "and banished me from my home because I spoke out of turn at a war meeting. And during the first few months of my banishment he sent Zhao to check up on me and gave him permission to kill me and Mai and my uncle and everyone else aboard my ship. Any loyalty I had to him is gone now. The guy is a bastard and needs to be taken out."
"Wow, your family is messed up."
"You don't know the half of it," Zuko replied and thought of Azula.
"So where's your mom?" Sokka asked, continuing to probe Zuko.
Mai squeezed Zuko's hand. He looked over at her and smiled gratefully.
"She's gone. I don't know if she's dead or alive. She vanished when I was ten years old."
"Oh, uh, sorry," Sokka responded.
"At least you have hope that your mother is still alive," Katara said bitingly. She touched the pendant that hung from a blue ribbon around her neck and looked sorrowfully down at the water. "Ours is dead. I was only five."
"I'm sorry," Zuko said. "I really am."
"Sure," Katara sneered. "Sure you are."
"He's not responsible for your mother or anything else," Mai said calmly. "When you were a little kid, so was he. Zuko can't help the family he was born into."
"Hmmph, and why are you here? Do you want to end the war too?" Katara asked.
"I'm here for Zuko."
"Is that all?' Sokka inquired. "I mean can you fight or anything?"
"There was nothing for me at home. Zuko, Zuko is, I wanted to be with him, so I joined him on his banishment. And yes, I can fight. Do you think the sword on my back is for show or these?"
She pushed back her sleeves and revealed an impressive array of projectile weapons. Sokka's eyes bugged out.
"Cool," he said admiringly. Katara smacked him on the arm and he cleared his throat, changing his tone from enthusiastic to serious. "So your parents were okay with that, leaving I mean?"
"I didn't tell them and no, they wouldn't have been okay with it. They would have locked me up somewhere so that the family name wouldn't be tainted."
"Banishment is a disgrace. Mai joining me was a huge sacrifice. She gave up a comfortable life to come with me," Zuko stated proudly.
"I gave up the most boring life ever," Mai corrected her betrothed.
"Yeah, it must be so dull being rich and pampered and never having to do any work," Katara countered. "Poor you."
"You'd have to live it to understand what I mean," Mai replied. "There are plenty of expectations on children of noble families."
"Hmmph," Katara retorted and looked back down at the ocean.
She nudged her brother and he looked down too.
"Um guys, I think we have a problem," Sokka stated.
Mai and Zuko looked over Appa's side. They were fast approaching a Fire Nation blockade and they had been spotted.
Looking skyward and spotting the Avatar on that infernal bison of his was becoming a habit. Zhao put the telescope down and ordered his men to ready the trebuchets. He would blast the beast and its passengers into the sea, scoop them up and take them to Ozai in the best chains that the Fire Nation made. He smiled at the thought.
"Tanaka," he yelled brusquely. "Get over here."
"Sir," Tanaka replied immediately.
"Supervise the trebuchets. I want to keep my eye on the Avatar."
Zhao put the telescope to his eye again and adjusted its focus. He looked, blinked and then looked again. There were four people on the back of the bison, while the Avatar himself sat on the beast's huge head, guiding the animal. He increased the magnification and checked once again. Damn. There was no mistaking that scar. Prince Zuko was very much alive and so was that Mai girl. Chances were good then that Iroh was too.
He began to sweat and his heart thumped in his chest, banging against his ribs as if trying to escape the cage of bone. When Ozai found out that his son and brother were alive, he would not be pleased. No, that was a severe understatement. Ozai would be livid with fury. Perhaps he could kill Zuko and Mai now, and worry about the old geezer later. Yes, that's what he would do, once he captured them, of course.
As Zhao continued to watch, the massive fireballs began to soar.
"Whoa, fireball," Sokka shouted. He ducked as one went flying overhead. "Wait, I mean fireballs."
"Hang on," Aang yelled back at them. "It's going to get crazy."
That was all the warning the group got as Appa began to dip and twist and they moved from one side of the saddle to the other, Zuko slamming into Mai and then Mai slamming into Zuko. She felt nauseous but fought it, swallowing down the bile that threatened to rise. Zuko looked at her closely, concerned for her safety.
"I'm fine," she said when they were pressed together again.
"I'm going to help," Zuko told her. "I can diffuse the fireballs."
"Then they'll know there's a firebender up here," Mai reminded him.
"I don't care," Zuko replied and shrugged his shoulders. "It's Zhao down there. I saw him the last time Aang swooped down low. And he's seen us, Mai. He knows we're alive and now he'll want to kill us more than ever."
"Oh, this day is getting better by the minute. Be careful, will you?"
Zuko nodded and then got on his knees, trying to maintain balance on the jerkily moving bison. As the fireballs approached, he inhaled, summoned his internal fire and then pushed his hands out from his chest as if sweeping the enemy fire away. Between the prince's firebending and the Avatar's airbending, they made it safely across the blockade and proceeded toward Roku's temple as fast as the bison could fly.
"Damn!" Zhao shouted angrily. He was infuriated now and clenched his fists tightly. "Can't you men do anything right? It's always up to me, isn't it? You're all pathetic. I should hire a new crew."
The commander's spittle hit Tanaka in the face and he backed away as discreetly as possible.
"What are your orders, sir?" he asked timidly as he dabbed at his cheeks with a cloth.
"What do you think, Tanaka? Follow the bison, of course. They must be headed to the Crescent Isle so the Avatar can make contact with Roku. That's what they do, isn't it, talk to their past incarnations? Maybe he's trying to get more power. Whatever it is we have to stop him and that damned Prince Zuko too. He really is a traitor now."