Chapter 11

Enemies Meet

Silence, is what plagued the group as they walked through the woods. Springtime was ending, but the woods were still full of new life. Unfortunately for the Earth soldiers, death was the only thing on their minds. They were one with the woods and it was as if nothing in nature even noticed their existence.

Jin-lo was the first to stop.

"What is it?" Sen-Su asked when he noticed his companion's hesitation.

"There is someone coming behind us." He responded and closed his eyes concentrating, "I can't tell how many, but by the feel, I would say they are Fire Nation rhinos and they're moving fast!"

"How do you know that?" Zuko asked.

"Vibrations in the earth, my friend." Jin-lo replied, "Some of us benders are more sensitive to them then others."

"I see," Zuko said, he would need to keep that in mind.

"We need to keep moving!" Came a shout from Loam as he looked back and saw the Rough Rhinos back in the distance. A cloud of dust followed and the thundering foot prints of the Rhinos shook the earth.

Their efforts to escape the notorious town conquers failed as they surrounded the Earth Kingdom soldiers. Zuko drew his swords and faced his enemies, the Earth soldiers formed a protective circle as the Rough Rhinos began to circle.

"Give up the fugitive," Mongke shouted as a flame formed in his hand, "and just maybe we'll let you live." Then a fireball erupted from his palm.

ATLAB

The Dragon of the West sat in his cell deep under Lake Liogai, it had been days since his arrest. Iroh had hoped that by being arrested it would lead him closer to discovering the truth of what happen to his now missing nephew. But as he sat in the small cell and the green glow of the crystals illuminated the room he could not help but feel that by being arrested he would be forgotten and left to rot.

The Di Lai thought they held a lonely old tea maker instead the Fire Lord's brother and the famous General that nearly conquered the very city he now took refuge, they clearly underestimated him. Iroh knew he could escape at anytime he wanted, just a little lightning bending here and he would disappear before the Di Lai even knew what happened.

It had been days since he had any contact with anyone other then the agent who brought him his food daily. But today was different. As the door to his cell slid open two agents stepped in and rock cuffed his hands behind his back. Iroh was led out of his cell and down the hallway.

"Where are you taking me?" Iroh asked, using his best helpless old man voice.

"To see our leader," the agent to his right answered, "he wishes to speak with you."

Before they got too far down the hallway, another Di Lai agent blind folded him so he could see nothing of his surroundings. However what he heard as they led him, was fascinating.

The ground shook from giant feet, and a monstrous sound came from one the cells.

"Get it under control!" He heard someone shout.

Iroh would know that roar anywhere: it was the Avatar's bison.

Interesting. He thought as the commotion stopped and his captors led him down the hall.

When they were up on the surface, he was led too a private tram. About an hour passed before Iroh's blindfold was taken off. He sat in a library which was illuminated by a green fire. As he faced the fire, the doors opened and Long Feng stepped in. Two agents stood by his side as he sat facing the old man.

"Those won't be necessary," Long Feng said as he raised his hand and used earth bending to remove the rock cuffs and then he greeted Iroh.. "I am Long Feng, Grand Secretariat of Ba Sing Se and head of the Di Lai."

"I am Mushi, former Head Server of Pal's tea shop and maker of the best tea in Ba Sing Se or so they tell me." Iroh introduced himself with a grin.

"Amusing" Feng said as he raised a brow. "What is your business in the Greatest City of the world?"

"My nephew and I came here as refugees from the war."

"Really," Long Feng said "What did you do before you came to Ba Sing Se?"

"Mostly try to avoid the Fire Nation," Iroh said and then stopped, "Oh yeah and not getting killed that's what we did best."

Long Feng stopped, for a moment studding the man that stood in front of him. He usually could tell when some one was lying just by the tone in their voice, but this old man was nearly impossible to read. It was almost like this tea server was skilled in politics. He had not encountered any one even remotely political in a long time, he usually just had his agents take care of anyone who threatened his rule and the well-being of Ba Sing Se.

"Enough!" he said, "I am tired of your games. I know you are looking for you nephew and you are wondering what happened to him. I am correct, am I not?"

Iroh nodded and Long Feng continued.

"Lee," the Secretariat started, "has interrupted the well being of Ba Sing Se and it is my job to keep the peace in this great city."

"I see" Iroh said, rubbing his chin, "and what has my nephew done to interrupt 'the well being of Ba Sing Se'? Nothing illegal, I hope."

"The street fight a few weeks ago had led me believe that Lee's short temper and his skill with the sword would be most helpful else where. Such as the army, which is where he is now, proudly serving his country."

"Why was I not informed of this?" Iroh asked.

Ling Feng ignored the question. "Which brings me to my point of your visit. You see I would not ordinarily take time in talking to an old tea maker and tracking a teenage boy's progress in the army…"

"How is my nephew?" Iroh interrupted him, hoping to get as much information he could. "is he still alive?" Knowing Zuko, he probably was, he is a survivor it runs in the family.

"Lee is fine as far as we can tell." he answered waving off the question, "However he is not my problem now. You are, Mushi. If you keep searching for your nephew you could disturb the well being of the city..."

"and you wish to make a deal with me?" Iroh said, finishing his sentence.

Long Feng smiled, "I can't get anything by you can I, Mushi. Both you and Lee are more then you seem. What is your secret?"

"Love and proper ageing."

The smiled disappeared from the secretariat's face, "I did not mean your ridiculous recipe for making tea! I can see you would not stop searching for your nephew if I just asked you to and I am afraid you give me no other choice but to hold you in Lake Liogai."

"Lee's family," Iroh simply put, "and I would do anything for him."

The two guards that were standing by Long Feng's side came up to Iroh and cuffed his hands behind his back. As they turned to leave Long Feng stopped them.

"I think it's time we apply our treatment to our guest," he said to the Di Lai agents, who smiled and nodded as they led their prisoner out the door.

ATLAB

Jin-lo was first to react. He raised a rock wall out of the ground, absorbing the flames and then return the attack by sending a large rock back at the Fire Bender which knocked the Colonel off the rhino and onto the ground with a thud. Zuko followed up the attack by raising swords and striking at Mongke, who dodged the banished prince's attack and returned it with a fire blast.

Prince Zuko and Colonel Mongke exchanged blows while the Rhinos moved in on the other Earth Kingdom soldiers. The battle raged on and neither of the two groups gaining the upper hand. The Earth Kingdom soldiers were tired and scarcely armed but they fought with the rage that was fueled by revenge and survival.

Not a single Earth soldier fell, but already two of the rough rhinos lay on the ground. Zuko and Mongke continued their private duel which consisted of slashing of swords and the burning of flames. Zuko struck at the Colonel but then was caught off guard by the Rough Rhino.

He fell backwards as the ball of flame crashed into his Fire Nation armor extinguishing the blow. Mongke stood above him his fist pointed down at the banished prince. No sooner did the flames leave his fist before Zuko was up on his feet. Then using a fire bending move, without fire, he kick the Colonels legs out from under him sending him hard to the ground. Mongke groaned, but after that there was no movement.

Turning away, the banished prince of the Fire Nation ran off to help his Earth Kingdom comrades. He lept high in the air, taking out the archer then drew his sword in time to deflect the double ball chained that was hurled at him. Knocking the chain weapon back at it's wielder, wrapping him in his own chained prison.

Zuko smiled at his success, but that was quickly cut short by a Fire blast which separated him, Lang and Sen-Su from the others. Mongke was back on his rhino and was moving in on Zuko. Flames burned between them and the other Earth soldiers. The remaining Rough Rhinos turned their attention away from the others and started towards the banished prince. Through the burning flames Zuko saw Loam helping the wounded escape down the path. He gave one last sad look before he rushed off with the others. Normally Zuko would have felt betrayed, that they could leave him like that, but he know knew they were not his friends and never could be. Besides they could do nothing but complete the mission, that is the first priority for Captain Loam.

Only Lang and Sen-Su remained, Lang to Zuko's left and Sen to his right. They each held a knife at the ready while Zuko held his swords. The Rhinos began to push them backwards towards the ledge of the path they traveled, the drop down was not steep like a cliff but more like a steep hill.

"Come now, Prince Zuko," Mongke started. "You really can't expect to escape the famous Rough Rhino's can you?"

The surprise of the mention of 'Prince Zuko' showed on Sen's face but Lang's was hardened and unreadable. Glancing quickly to Zuko, Sen returned his attention to the Rhino's. Zuko however let out a cry and started forward with his swords ready for blood, but his attempt was cut short because no sooner had he started then the explosive specialist lunched a small stick of dynomite at the prince.

It exploded, crumpling the earth out from beneath the Earth soldier's feet. They fell and Zuko felt his arms being burnt as he and the others tumbled down the edge of the hill. The pain Zuko felt soon gave away to darkness.

Next chapter is coming soon!

Well thanks for reading and thanks to all who review. I really appreciate it!