The Rescue Begins

Chapter 5

The cool morning air grazed Zuko's face as he and his companions continued on a dirt road. The road then would lead through a canyon and than intersect with the road the Fire Benders would be traveling. The six Earth kingdom soldiers walked because the army could not spare a single Ostrich-horse for this mission.

Zuko's three new companions consisted of two brothers Jin-lo and Kin-lo. They were both highly skilled earth benders and the weapons expert was a large ruff looking man by the name of Katso. The six Earth Kingdom soldiers were dressed in civilian clothes with no weapons visible. Zuko along with the non-benders Lang and Katso each had a knife hidden away in their clothing. The Earth benders were unarmed because of their bending.

This was going to be a nightmare and Zuko knew it. It would not surprise him if Azula gave a description of him to every officer and soldier in the whole Fire Nation army. His only hope would be to hide his face behind one of the faceless helmets of the Fire Benders.

Long Feng is going to pay for this Zuko thought, angrily as they continued along the path.

ATLAB

The warm green glow of the fire filled the room as Long Feng sat thinking about his plans with the Earth King and the war. It was not easy running the greatest city in the world, even though no one ever knew it. As if he did not have enough problems, now he had to deal with the Avatar. That boy was constantly trying to ruin his plans.

"Long Feng, sir?" he was taken out of his thoughts by one of his Dai Li agents. "If I may interrupt" He paused, waiting for Long Feng's approval, when it was granted he continued. "The boy Lee, has made it through Serpent's Pass and is now continuing on another mission just as you ordered"

"Good" Long Feng said, flatly. Normally he would not waste his time watching a young man's progress in the military but there was something different about Lee.

When Long Feng noticed the Dai Li agent still stood in front of him he asked. "Is there more?"

"Yes Sir" the agent answered, "The boy's uncle has started his search for his nephew."

"Well isn't that interesting" Long Feng replied, it was not unexpected. He knew Lee had an uncle in Ba Sing Se. He was not a serious threat. Mushi was just an old Tea maker.

"What are we to do about him" The agent asked "do you want us to arrest him and take him to Lake Liogai?"

"No" Long Feng answered, much to the surprise of the agent. "Do you really think an old man could be a serious threat?" The agent did not answer, "Even so, I want you to keep an eye on him"

The Dai Li agent nodded and left the room.

ATLAB

The early morning sun had just risen and there still was no sign of any Fire Nation activity. Loam tapped his finger nervously against his knee, he had not forgotten what had happened at Serpent's Pass. The news of a miscommunication had deeply disturbed him. Zuko had thought nothing of it, he knew the Dai Li was behind it. A military that had lasted through a hundred year war did not survive on 'miscommunications.' He might not know as much about military activity as Azula but he knew that much.

Lang on the other hand did not seemed fazed by Serpent's Pass or the dangerous mission they now were attempting to accomplish. Zuko had his suspicions of him from the beginning, it was only natural to him. He never really trusted any one, except his uncle but he needed to trust Lang and the rest for now.

The 77th were now hiding behind desert bushes, which lined the side of the road. Zuko, Loam and Lang crouched behind the bushes on one side while rest of the unit stayed hidden on the other side.

They were crouched there for almost an hour and Zuko's legs began to cramp and feel very sore. It felt like the moment would never come, when he heard a bird call from across the road. It was the signal to get ready, Zuko peered through the bushes. He could see the oncoming Fire soldier coming down the dirt road. There were four benders, each rode komodo rhinos, two in the front and two in the back. Two non-benders, wielding spears were steering the wagon, which was also drawn by a rhino. The lead Fire bender rode out in front.

When the Fire Soldiers were upon them, Loam made a rock wall in front of the Fire benders, cutting off their path. Then one of the brothers cut off their escape with another rock wall. The rhinos reared and threw off their riders as Loam took out the lead Fire bender with a boulder he hurled from the ground, while Zuko jumped from behind his bush, knocking another soldier to the ground.

The Fire soldier sent a fire blast towards Zuko, which he easily dodged. The banished prince held his knife ready for attack. He ran towards the soldier, dodging constant fire blasts before Zuko was upon him and tackled him to the ground. He held his knife at the soldier's throat and pinned him to the ground.

The rest of the unit had finished their battle with very little injuries although Lang suffered a minor burn to the arm. That would compromise their mission if it was not properly treated. Captain Loam walked up behind Zuko as well as the others.

"Come on Lee" Katso said roughly, "Kill him and let's get moving."

"No" Zuko answered, "He can give us information."

"What information could he possibly give us?" Katso asked

"You think the Fire Nation doesn't have codes and information that we will need?" The rest of the unit gave each other looks. "Let me talk to him, let's see if I could get something out of him." Zuko continued.

"Fine" Loam said and than said to the rest of the unit, "Lee might be on to something."

"Soldier" Zuko said, getting the man's attention. "What was your mission and what was the name of your commanding officer?"

The man did not answer.

"Try to understand," Zuko started, trying another approach. " I am trying to save your life," He said trying to get on the man's good side, "we have a mission to complete." The man did not move, his eyes were averted from Zuko's face and the cold blade of steel that was still held at his throat. "The only way we can let you live, is if you give us anything that will be remotely useful."

The man started to say something, when he stopped. His eyes grew wide as he peered at the face of Prince Zuko of the Fire Nation. Zuko realized the man had recognized him and for a sheer moment of terror he thought his life would be over.

"You?!" The man let out of sheer surprise and disbelief, but he was silenced by Zuko swinging fist.

"What did you do that for?" Lang blurted out, while the brothers Kin-lo and Jin-lo and the rest stared in disbelief. "He recognized you?"

"I never saw that man in my life." Zuko said, which was really true he had never seen that man before.

"What ever" Loam said, interfering before the tension got to high. "We don't even know that man even recognized Lee, it could have been a coincidence."

"Then why was Lee so eager to shut him up." Katso said, jumping into the conversation. "I am not willing to serve with any one who is connected to those fire breathing savages." he turned from Loam and said to Zuko. " are you sure it doesn't have anything to do with your 'mysterious' scar?"

That was enough, Zuko could feel his anger rising. It was not enough that these men could talk about him like he wasn't even here. Then bringing up his scar was the last straw.

"What ever happened in my past is my business and no one else's!" Zuko said coldly, "especially not to some old common Earth Kingdom soldier."

Apparently Katso had a worse temper than the banished prince of the Fire Nation, because when Zuko was done with his rant, Katso lunged himself at Zuko with his knife held high. Zuko however tossed his knife aside. He would give this man a lesson.

Katso swung his knife at Zuko who easily dodged the first swing, but the second cut a slice in his peasant clothing. The banished prince stepped back from Katso's next strike letting the knife graze by his side before he grabbed the angry Earth Kingdom soldier's wrist and wrenched the knife from his grip. Then Zuko sent Katso to the ground with a hard kick in the side.

The man was up again ready to finish the fight, but they were interrupted by Loam.

"That's enough!." He shouted, "this is bordering on treason. Whatever differences we have, this is not the way to work it out. We are a team now and we will need to work together to complete our mission."

Katso reluctantly stood down, giving Zuko an angry glance as he walked over to a disabled Fire Soldier and started to remove his armor and clothing. The rest of the soldiers followed his lead. Zuko found a masked helmet and donned the man's uniform.

When they were ready Zuko and Loam mounted the two Komodo Rhinos in front while Lang and Katso rode the two in back. Jin- lo steered the cart, while Kin-lo hid in the back with the weapons. Their plan was, since they had un-even numbers with the Fire benders, one of them would need to hide in the back and once they would get into camp he would need to go unnoticed until the prisoners were located.

Zuko and the disguised Earth Kingdom soldiers continued down the road until the Fire Nation Army was in sight. Komodo Rhinos were not the easiest beasts to ride, but Zuko had experience with them. Unlike the others who continuously fell off, Zuko could have ridden with ease, but to help throw suspicions Zuko fell off every once in awhile to help blend in.

It was not long before they could see the landscape filled with millions upon millions of red tents that bore the insignia of the Fire Nation.

Here we go Zuko thought as the group continued to the enemy camp.

Authors Note: Sorry it took so long!