Sorry for the wait folks, but you know you can't put a clock on creativity. I'd like to take just a moment to thank the following people: pink princess 16charizardagSora's NobodywtfbrunteesoftballThe Mad shoe1Guardian of BalanceAkriloth Warrior, and storm-of-insanity. Thank you for you're kind words and I hope I live up to you're expectations. Now without further ado, on with the show. I don't own Avatar or any of its characters. Any resemblance to any real people past or present is coincidental and, frankly, kind of creepy.
The Search for Shang-wēifēng
Chapter Two:
The Art of Mastering Fire
It was a silent flight up to the rim of the canyon. Through its entirety, Katara took special care to look at everything except Zuko.
Earlier, when they had finished their meal, she announced that she would accompany Aang to his firebending session with the exiled prince. This was, naturally, met with some resistence from the Avatar and her brother, the memory of what had happened last time still fresh in their minds.
Haru had also objected to her going. The Earth Kingdom boy simply did not trust Zuko, that much was clear simply from the way he kept looking at the Fire Prince, and she had to admit, she was uncomfortable with the idea as well, but she had promised herself that she would protect Aang if Zuko proved to be a threat - as she strongly suspected he eventually would - and the only way to do that was to stay close to the firebender. Aang wanted them to try to get along, but if that spoiled, burnt-faced freak even smirked her way...
"It's fine," she had insisted. "I've got a full skin of water from the fountain, so if anyone gets hurt, I can heal them." And water whip Zuko into the canyon if he so much as blinks funny at Aang, she had silently added to herself. ...or me.
Spirits! Her cheeks still bloomed roses every time she even thought of the washroom incident!
His shocked expression.
His amber eyes suddenly widening.
How his breath had caught in his throat as those same eyes traveled downward...
She shook her head to dispel the offending thoughts.
After a moment, Sokka had nodded his assent, but Aang had still looked doubtful. He had never really forgiven himself for burning Katara while he was learning from Jeong Jeong the Deserter. He swore he would never firebend again after that. His time with the Guru, however, had helped him to accept that he was the Avatar and, therefor, a firebender, but guilt still bore heavily upon him.
Katara gave him an encouraging smile and said gently, "Don't worry Aang, you'll do great."
Aang returned the smile and nodded. "Thanks, Katara."
Afterwards, the monk went to recover the glider the Mechanist had made for him from his room, then they made for the stables, with Momo in tow. After walking for some time, Aang turned to his companion.
"Um, Katara," he said carefully. "About this thing with Zuko..."
"I already told you," Katara sniffed. "I'm not apologizing to him." If anything, he should apologize to her. For the bath, and everything else.
"No, no!" agreed Aang hastily. Too hastily for the Water Tribe girl's liking. "I just... wanted to ask you to...you know... try not to fight with him...okay?"
"Are you suggesting that I'd deliberately pick a fight?" the waterbender demanded hotly. "That it's my fault?"
"No! No!" protested Aang, waving his free hand defensively. Sensing the tension in his owner, Momo began gibbering softly, which did little to help. "What I mean is...what I'm trying to say...that is..."
Katara had stopped listening then. Why was he...why was everyone defending Zuko? Toph had assigned him a nickname. Sokka was willing to give him the benefit of doubt. Even Aang, who had more reason - more right - than any of them to hate that bag of penguin dung, was trying to make friends with him. The only ones who seemed to have any clue at all were Haru and Teo.
They walked in silence after that.
When they had reached the stables, Katara had to stop to take in yet another of the many wonders the Western Air Temple had to offer. They were a massive structure, resembling an enormous wheel with seven spokes, passageways opening up at the end of each spoke leading to the giant feeding troughs in the hub-like center. They found the Avatar's newest teacher pinned to the ground outside one such opening, beneath Appa's forepaw. The great, shaggy flying bison was happily licking the Fire Prince in his usual sloppy, saliva-ridden fashion, ignoring Zuko's cries of dismay.
Laughing, Aang motioned Appa off the Fire Prince, who was now covered head to foot in bison spit. Katara stifled a snicker. Serves him right!
The airbender explained that Katara would be going with them to observe their training and forage for berries for tonight's dinner. If Zuko was displeased with the arrangement, he gave no outward sign. However, as they were seating themselves in Appa's wide saddle, while Aang straddled the bison's thick neck, the firebender distanced himself as far away as possible from Katara, and pointedly averted his eyes from her.
The nerve of him! Even though she had decided earlier to do the same to him, it was still just downright rude! At the very least he could look her in the eye!
With a "yip-yip" from his master, and a powerful clap of his flat tail, Appa launched himself, and his passengers, from the stone platform and soared upward through the canyon. Zuko immediately grabbed onto of one of the saddle's grips and held on for dear life.
Katara allowed herself a self-satisfied smirk, before quickly wiping it off. She tried to focus on something other than the object of her irritation. Her thoughts drifted to her father, Hakoda, and Bato, who had been like an uncle to her and Sokka their entire childhood, and all of their other friends and allies captured after the Day of Black Sun invasion. She hoped they were alright. She had seen firsthand how cruel the Fire Nation could be to their prisoners. She remembered Haru's father, when she had first met him, along with the other earthbenders of their village, their spirts broken, their will to fight all but extinguished.
We will find a way to rescue you, she silently promised.
Then, as they often did of late, her thoughts found Aang. So much has changed since she and her brother found him and Appa in that iceberg, but at the same time, so much remained the same. Though he had progressed quickly in his mastery of both waterbending and earthbending, he still retained the playful spirit of an airbender in spite of all that had happened. From the loss of his entire people, to the fate of the entire world resting on his shoulders, through it all Aang still managed to laugh and smile.
Katara knew that he was only putting on a brave face for the sake of the people around him. People thought the Avatar needed to be some invincible super-being in order to defeat the Fire Lord, and that was just too much to expect from a twelve-year-old boy. All that pent-up tension and stress finally came to a head during the nights leading up to the invasion when he started to hallucinate some pretty bizarre things due to prolonged insomnia.
She felt her cheeks warm as she remembered the passionate kiss they shared on the deck of the submarine before he flew off to the Palace City of the Fire Nation. How did that make her feel exactly? What was he thinking when he did that?
It's true she had strong feelings for Aang, and they shared a special bond but...
"There," the voice of Zuko startled her back to the present, and she turned to see him pointing to a clearing below. "Land there."
She silently glared at the Fire Prince.
I've got my eye on you Zuko, she thought darkly. If you do anything to hurt Aang, nothing in this or any world will save you from me.
"To begin with," said Zuko, after they had landed and dismounted. "Fire is the energy and life of our world. As essential to the balance as the air and water that sustain us, and the earth that supports us. Without it, the world would be cold and lifeless. But, like all things, fire has a dual nature. While it staves off the night's chill, as it burns in the hearth, in the form of a wildfire, it can swallow up forests and towns if not quickly brought under control. The same can be said for all the elements."
"It can?" asked the Avatar, who had seated himself cross-legged in front of his teacher and was listening attentively.
"Of course," answered Zuko. "While Earth is a stable foundation and consistent care giver, an earthquake or landslide can be devastating. A spring breeze is pleasant and carries the scent of bloom, but a whirlwind can topple even the tallest pagoda. As for water..."
He paused to glance cautiously at Katara, who only fixed him with a flat glower from where she sat a safe distance away on a log with the lemur perched atop her head, and the bison crouched behind her, but said nothing.
"...Ahem, water," Zuko continued. "A giver of life, is also a potent destroyer. Every year, typhoons ravage coastal towns and fishing villages, and sink countless ships."
"Wow," breathed the Avatar. "I've never thought of it that way before."
"The principles of yin and yang apply to all things," explained the Fire Prince. "It doesn't make any one element better or worse than the others."
"I guess they can apply to people too," said the monk, giving his teacher a smile so genuine and sincere, Zuko couldn't help but smile back.
"I suppose that's true," the firebender said.
"You know," grinned the Avatar. "You sound a lot like your uncle."
"Let's get started," said Zuko, turning away to hide his creeping blush. He was flattered that the boy would compare him to Iroh, but felt undeserving. The Avatar wasn't the only one he had betrayed in Ba Sing Se. He had sold out the only real father he ever had, and for what?
"The first and simplest move in firebending is the fire ball," continued the Fire Prince. "Watch closely, and do as I do."
The firebender sank into a stance which his student immediately mimicked.
"Remember," said Zuko softly. "Your stance needs stability, and balance in the lower body. You leave yourself vulnerable if you're off balance. Also, you must draw power from both the sun and your own body. You told me you studied the breathing exercises?"
The airbender nodded.
"Breathe with the motion," stated the Fire Prince, drawing a breath. "And...strike!"
Zuko pumped his fist forward and...nothing happened. He blinked in surprise and puzzlement, then glanced at his student, who peered at him curiously.
"Breathe with the motion," repeated Zuko, as he inhaled. "And...strike!"
Again, he jabbed at the air. Again, nothing happened.
"Strike!" he repeated, unable to keep the desperation from his voice as he grew more and more frantic. "Strike! Strike! Strike! STRIKE!"
"What's going on?" demanded Katara, walking towards them.
"Is something wrong, Zuko?" asked the Avatar, his soulful grey eyes filled with concern.
Zuko stared at his hands, dumbfounded. "It's...it's gone," he said at last, his voice a mixture of sorrow and disbelief. "My firebending is... gone."
Sokka strolled through the halls of the Western Air Temple, throwing his boomerang and catching it as it came back. Toph and Haru were off somewhere practicing earthbending while Teo and the Duke were off exploring, leaving him to meander about aimlessly. As he often did when he was alone, he allowed his thoughts to drift to Suki and Princess Yue. He still thought of Yue constantly, guilt gnawing at his soul with the knowledge that he couldn't save her; but his heart warmed at the thought of the fiery Kyoshi warrior, and threatened to break in half at the image of her locked up somewhere in a Fire Nation prison. His instinct was to scour the globe in search of her, but the rational part of him knew it would be an exercise in futility. She could be anywhere. She might not even be alive.
I should've been there for her, Sokka thought miserably, even knowing that his presence at that time likely wouldn't have made a difference against Azula.
Being a man is knowing where you're needed most, his father's words echoed in his mind, and he held fast to it like a lifeline in a tempest. Know where you're needed most. He knew where he was needed. But somehow, knowing didn't make it any easier. Tears stung his eyes, but he refused to cry. He was the leader. The "idea guy". He needed to be strong for the others. Men shed blood before they shed tears.
Suddenly, he blinked and backtracked, noticing something out of place. The wall, the floor, and the pillars of the passageway were marred with ugly black marks.
Scorch marks.
Made by firebenders.
He held his boomerang ready, and drew his sword, cautiously following the marks until he came to an arched doorway that had had its doors blown off its hinges. It was the Air Temple Sanctuary. No one but an airbender could get in - unless you possessed the ingenuity of Teo's father, the Mechanist - or the dogged determination these firebenders apparently had. Picking through the rubble, Sokka made his way towards the portal and peered inside.
Woah!
"Guy's!" he called, hoping his voice carried like his sister's did earlier. "You'd better come check this out!"
"What do you mean your firebending's gone?" demanded Katara, suspicion flashing in her blue eyes.
"I mean exactly what I said!" Zuko snapped. "It's just... gone!"
"It was working just fine earlier," said Aang, scrutinizing his new teacher, poking and prodding him in the arms and legs, while Zuko continued to stare at his hands in shock. "Maybe it's an aftereffect of the eclipse. Or maybe it's because you're not firebending out of anger, like you usually do. Or it could be the thin air at this high altitude. Or..."
"Or maybe," growled Zuko, pointing an accusatory finger at Katara. "You poisoned my food!"
"What?"
"You're just upset Zuko," said Aang, trying to quickly mediate the situation. "You don't know what you're saying."
"Oh no?" the panicked Fire Prince challenged. "Let's look at the facts: she has an obvious dislike for me, she had motive after the washroom incident, and I was fine before I ate her noodles. Ergo, she poisoned me with chi-blocking noodles!"
"Right, you caught me," muttered Katara in a very Sokka-like manner, as she started walking away. "Chi-blocking noodles. And I almost got away with it, too. Darn."
Aang didn't know what to do. He finally gets a firebending teacher and it turns out he had lost his bending.
"Don't worry about it Zuko," said the airbender, placing a reassuring hand on the Prince's shoulder. "We'll figure this out, after we take a break. Who knows? Maybe your firebending will come back by itself after a while."
Zuko only nodded despondently, as he slumped to the ground. Aang followed after Katara and seated himself on the log next to her. Momo leapt from her head to his as she rummaged through her bag for snacks.
They both stole glances at Zuko, who hadn't moved from his place across the clearing.
"He really seems upset," observed Katara.
"I'd be too," agreed Aang.
The waterbender could only nod. She had told Aang and the others how Ty Lee had blocked her chi and took away her bending. The Avatar himself had known the fear of being unable to bend from his experiences in the Spirit World. He could emphasize with what Zuko was going through right now.
Aang peered at Katara out of the corner of his eye. Between the Day of Black Sun and Combustion Man's attack, they haven't really had time to discuss...that.
He felt himself go red as he thought about...that. He still couldn't believe he had mustered up the courage to finally...kiss her. But he still wasn't sure how she really felt about it. As he flew away she had seemed more surprised than pleased. Maybe, now that they finally had some free time, it was the time to talk to her about...that.
"Um..." he said nervously. "Ka-Katara?"
"Yes Aang?"
"I-I've been w-w-wondering," stuttered the airbender. "A-about that..."
Just then, he was interrupted by the clearing suddenly exploding in a shower of dirt and debris. Aang and Katara leapt into battle stances, while Appa sprang to his feet with a bellow. Even Zuko instinctively jumped to his feet, assuming a now-useless firebending stance. Striding trough the dust, their expressions grave, Toph and Haru appeared, followed by the resident meat and sarcasm guy.
"Sokka?" said Katara and Aang simultaneously.
"Aang," said the warrior, in an uncharacteristically serious tone. "There's something I think you need to see."
Miles away, four scout balloons emblazoned with the teardrop-shaped three-tongued flame of the glorious Fire Nation, floated eastward, followed by an enormous airship. Aboard the vessel, engineers opened and closed valves, inspected the hydraulics systems and made repairs where needed. Firebenders strutted through the corridors, with the air of poise and superiority, looking down their noses at the rest of the world. The crew and deck hands hurried about their tasks and carried out the orders of their superiors...or at least pretended to. They were willing to do anything to avoid the wrath of Crown Princess Azula who stood in the bridge gazing out a the passing forested landscape.
"Steady as she goes my lady," said the captain, a sycophantical toad of a man, hoping to increase his standing in the military by garnering favor from the Fire Lord's daughter. He disgusted her. "If I may be so bold, might I ask why we're headed for that old ruin?"
"Boldness Captain," Azula said flatly. "Can be quite hazardous." She extended her middle and index fingers, and the air crackled with electricity. "I would advise more caution on your part."
"O-o-of c-c-c-course m-m-m-my l-l-l-l-lady," answered the captain timorously, hiding behind the terrified helmsman. "A-a-a-as y-y-you wish."
"You're kinda prickly today, Azula," piped up Ty Lee, as the Princess lowered her hand. "Is something the matter?"
The Fire Princess only tightened her mouth in response, but it was enough to get the message across. Whimpering, Ty Lee, sank fearfully behind Mai, who gave no indication that she was aware of her surroundings.
All of her thought was on the letter she had found on her bed in her apartments in the Royal Palace after the eclipse. Zuko's letter. She had read it. The she had reread it. Then she had read it again. Again and again, until she had it memorized. Even now, she was going through it in her mind.
Dear, Mai,
For three long years, I've thought of nothing beyond returning to my country, restoring my honor, and my rightful place on the throne. Now I finally have all these things, and more. I should be content. Happy. But I only feel hollow.
During my travels through the Earth Kingdom, I've seen a side of this war I never even knew existed. I truly believed that it was our destiny - our duty - as the world's most advanced and refined civilization, to spread our greatness across the rest of the globe, and that anyone who resisted our enlightened rule should be crushed.
I met an Earth Kingdom girl who was burned, and heaven knows what else, by a firebender; a young farm-boy who's brother was lost on the front lines; and countless others who's lives were uprooted for the sake our expansionist ideals. Everywhere I went, I saw suffering and misery brought on by the Fire Nation. Where is our greatness? Where is that promised enlightenment? I don't know, I did not find it.
I've visited my Uncle, and he revealed to me the truth behind my lineage. After so long, I now know my place, which is why I'm leaving the Fire Nation, and joining the Avatar to train him in the Art of Mastering Fire. I believe it to be for the good of both the Fire Nation, and the rest of the world.
I'll be a full-fledged traitor, and I don't know when, or if, I'll return.
I'm sorry, Mai
And goodbye
Zuko
"Mai!" barked Azula, snapping Mai back to reality. "Have you been listening?"
"We're chasing the Avatar and Zuko again," giggled Ty Lee cheerfully. "Just like old times! Maybe I'll see that dreamy Water Tribe boy again."
"I hope you're prepared to do what needs to be done," said Azula, looking pointedly at Mai. "The both of you."
"Aye, aye Azula!" gushed Ty Lee, giving her childhood playmate a mock salute.
"Whatever," sighed Mai, apathetically.
Zuko, you idiot, she thought to herself. Why couldn't you just talk to me about what was bothering you? Were you afraid I wouldn't listen? Or care? Was I really that cold towards you?
Azula narrowed her eyes suspiciously at her old school-mate, sniffed, and prowled up to stand next to the helmsman, who looked visibly sick at the thought of being on the same ship as her, let alone within arm's reach. She ignored him, and thought back to yesterday, when Fire Lord Ozai had summoned her to his audience chamber.
She knelt on the floor before the flickering flames of the fire pit. Beyond them, upon and elevated platform, sat the imperious figure of her father, stern and cold.
"Your Uncle has escaped," said Ozai conversationally. Azula gave a start. He had not asked her to rise. Something was wrong.
"He'll be captured again soon enough, my Lord," answered the Fire Princess, carefully adhering to the formalities until bidden otherwise. Then she smiled dangerously. "Or perhaps an...accident...may befall him."
The Fire Lord gazed at his daughter through the flames, but said nothing. He still had not asked her to rise.
"Your brother is gone as well," said Ozai. "But before he left, we sat down and had ourselves a little chat."
He was silent for a time. Expectant. Finally, Azula queried, "And what did you talk about, my Lord?"
"The truth of what happened in Ba Sing Se," answered Ozai. Though his tone betrayed no emotion, the flames flared up imposingly. "Suddenly I question whether I had instilled a sense of loyalty within either of my children."
"Fa..." Azula began before catching herself. "My Lord, you have to understand..."
"Silence!" hissed the Fire Lord, the flames once again rising dangerously.
She went quiet and bowed her head to the floor. She had always been Ozai's favorite, groomed in the intricate ways of court intrigue and warfare. She had always been able to utilize his affection for her to get what she wanted, play him like a pipa, but now he was cold and distant. She could sense that her usual tactics would be met with anger, so she patiently waited and listened.
"Your brother is a failure and a traitor," Ozai continued in a calmer tone. "A disgrace to the Fire Nation. A true shame really, I was just beginning to feel I could show him in public without fear of embarrassment," Azula felt his cold eyes upon her. "Bring him back, in chains or in ashes," he declared coldly. "I don't care which. As for the Avatar, he had become too great a threat. He represents hope for our enemies, gives them will to fight. Only by killing their hope can we crush them once and for all and at last bring an end to this war. Hunt him down and, this time, bring me his head as evidence of his demise."
"It shall be done as you command my lord."
Ozai rose, parted the flames before him and stepped onto the floor. He now stood in front of his daughter.
"Azula," he said gently, prompting her to raise her eyes to meet his. "You are my daughter and my heir, but that can only protect you for so long. Do not fail me."
"Azula."
The melancholy voice of Mai, brought the Fire Princess back to the present. She looked at the other girl inquiringly, as her former classmate pointed toward the scarlet war balloons. One of the benders on board shot a stream of fire into the air, signaling that they were approaching the Air Temple.
"We're here," Mai said indifferently.
"We're here! We're here!" Ty Lee cheered excitedly.
Just you wait, Zuzu, thought Azula coldly. I'm coming to kill your hope.
"It's a long, long way
To Ba Sing Se
But they say in the ci-TAY
The girls are so pret-TAY!"
Crewmen and fishmongers from all over the shipyard, gathered to listen to this strange old man from across the sea, sing to them. It was an old song, full of old memories, all of which invoked smiles upon the assorted seamen's faces.
"So tender and sweet
Boy you'd want to meet
The girl from Ba Sing Se!"
The sailors and dockhands broke out into applause, as the old traveler finished his performance. Some clapped, others cheered and whistled. One tattooed, hard-faced, bosun even wiped a tear from his eye, and cried out "encore!" The singer smiled and gave them a flourishing bow that was met with laughter and more clapping.
"That was the best singing I've heard in ages," said the ship captain who had carried this odd, but friendly, old man from the Fire Nation archipelago. "I can honestly say you're the first stowaway I'm sorry to throw off my ship. You've also been the most helpful and entertaining. Have you had previous experience at sea?"
"Oh, more than I care to recount," chuckled the jolly old man, picking up his sack and slinging it over his shoulder.
"Are you sure I can't convince you to stay aboard?" pressed the captain. "I could use a great tea-maker such as yourself."
"I am honored," answered the traveler, bowing respectively. "But I really should be hurrying along. I am already tardy for my rendevous with my friends."
"Well," sighed the captain, forlornly. "I won't press the issue, but I will miss your jasmine."
"The secret ingredient is love," grinned the old man.
"Good luck to you," smiled the captain, extending his hand.
"And you as well," answered Iroh, clasping the proffered hand. He then turned, strode down the wharf, blended into the crowd, and disappeared.
Dun dun duuuuuuuuun (dramatic reverb). I should tell you, I'm came across a summary for The Firebending Masters on wikipedia, so I tried to integrate it into my own idea, though my story will eventually depart from the Avatar cannon (once again all credit goes to Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, plz don't sue). Anyway, I hope it turned out alright. Plz review! Reviews make my inner demon happy. Next: The Secret of Shang-wēifēng.