Previously on Prince Zuko: Shanghaied…

Prince Zuko crouched in a tree, lining a road. The others, including Lang, Sen-Su and the Kyoshi Warrior, as well as most of the Freedom Fighters were hiding in surrounding trees.

It was a cool cloudy morning as the banished prince and his companions waited for their target. Which as Keri had explained, the Fire Nation had been moving supplies through for weeks, but each time the Freedom Fighters had intercepted them.

Having finally changed out of the Fire Nation uniforms, Zuko now wore simple clothes with a rain poncho, protecting him from the rain that now began to fall. His swords were strapped to his back in the Blue Spirit fashion.

Drips of water ran off the rim of his hood and fell in front of his face as he watched the road for any kind of movement. Only a couple of months ago, if he would have been told he would be sitting in a tree with a bunch of kids ready to ambush Fire Nation soldiers, he would have had who ever told him that thrown off his ship.

Destiny was a funny thing. However, Zuko was not laughing.

Chapter 14

Ambush

The rain began to fall steadily and still no sign of the Fire Nation. They had waited there for nearly three hours and Zuko was starting to wonder if this was a waste of time. Then from across the road came a bird whistle.

"The're coming," Keri whispered, as she unsheathed her Kyoshi Katana from were she crouched beside Zuko. He mimicked her by unsheathing his own swords, just as the target was coming into view.

Zuko observed a cart, being pulled by a rhino and five soldiers walking by its side. There should be more. Zuko thought, as he scanned the woods for them. The Fire nation certainly would have not let supplies this unguarded on a route that was constantly being ambushed.

Before he could speak a single word, the Kyoshi Warrior dropped from the tree landing in the middle of the Fire Nation troops. Swinging her sword, she took out two of the Fire soldiers as they came at her with their spears. Turning around, she sent her fan flying. It clanged as it connected with a Fire Nation helmet.

The rest of the Freedom Fighters including Zuko, Sen and Lang dropped down, surrounding the remaining two troops. The troops, however were not going to surrender quietly. They still held their swords in a defensive position.

"That was easy," Keri said as she joined the group, sheathing her Katana and tucking her fan back into her belt.

"Too easy," Zuko whispered to himself, glances from both Lang and Sen told Zuko that they had heard him as well.

Keri stepped forward, "Surrender and we will let you live." She said to the two remaining soldiers. They did not move. "You must understand the position you're in…"

She trailed off as a voice came from the other side of the cart. "There's nothing in here!" One of the kids shouted as they finished inspecting the wagon.

The smile disappeared from the Kyoshi Warrior's face, as a smirk appeared on the Fire Nation soldier's faces. She turned around as the Yu Yan Archers appeared from the shadows of the tree tops.

Acting with speed and accuracy the, Yin Yan Archers are famous for, they quickly let the arrows fly. Soaring through the air, arrows pinned the kids to the trees, rendering them useless but unharmed.

The kids tried to fight back, but they were no match for the skill of the notorious archers of the Fire Nation. Soon, retreat was the their only option. The Freedom Fighters fled in every direction, dodging the arrows as they escaped to the safety of the woods.

Zuko turned, he however had no intentions of fleeing. It was not in his blood to retreat. His swords were held in a defensive position, ready for any attack. The Yu Yan Archers stopped firing, as the last of the kids disappeared into the woods.

Only Zuko, Lang, Sen and Keri remained. Apparently they had no intention in fleeing either. One of the soldiers who, earlier was considered their prisoner stepped forward and mockingly said, "Surrender and we will let you live, you must understand the position your in."

Lang and Sen held the swords Keri had given them at the ready. Zuko and Keri stood ready with their weapons as well, surrender, like retreat was also not an option.

ATLAB

"Next!" Quin Li shouted from her post. Taking tickets and checking passports at the inner wall was really beginning to take a toll on her. She took the next piece of parchment, glancing over the details, she stamped it and handed it back to the man.

"Next!" She shouted again, an old crippled man in rags stepped forward. He held no papers, but Quin Li's heart immediately went out to him.

What a poor old man she thought. He had a cloth wrapped around his eye for an eye patch. Hunched over, he was a heavy set man who walked with a limp.

"Please," he said, "I have lost my passport and my nephew is in dire need within the city's walls." His voice shook, liked it pained him to speak.

"I'm sorry sir," Quin Li replied, "I can't allow you in without a passport."

"Please, young lady," He sounded as if he was going to start crying, "help a poor old man out?"

She shook her head. "No."

Quin Li held back her tears as he started to leave. As she watched him limp away, she knew she would never be able to face herself again if she did not help.

"Sir!" She cried out after him, "I think I can help you."

Looking both ways, before she quickly pulled out a ticket for the tram and stamped it before handing it to him. As he took it a wide grin crossed his sad features.

"Thank you," he said, as he wobbled past her towards the now departing tram.

Just his 'thank you' was enough to make Quin Li's day. She smiled back at him. After he had boarded the tram, she turned back to her duties.

"Next," She shouted.

ATLAB

Iroh sat down in his seat. Looking at the ticket he held in his hand he could not help but smile. Yep, I still got it. He thought to himself as he slowly closed his eyes for some well deserved rest.

ATLAB

He knew they had no intention in letting them leave if they wanted to. The Fire Nation had succeeded in their objective. They had captured the leader of the Freedom Fighters. The Fire Nation soldier that was still on the ground gave them the order to fire.

"Let none of them live!" He shouted.

Zuko's blades were a flash as they cut through an arrow that was aimed for him. The Yu Yan archers, were renown for their legendary accuracy. Another arrow flew towards Zuko. Rolling out of the way, he was forced to keep his feet moving and his swords swinging.

Sen-Su, Lang and Keri did the same as a shower of arrows rained down upon them. An arrow caught Zuko's hand, knocking the blade from his grasp. Soon they were all exhausted. The rain of arrows paused, as the soldier held up his hand.

"Wait!" he shouted "We will let you live if, show us to your 'hide-out'."

"Never," Keri breathed.

"Very well, then." The man shrugged, "Have it your way."

Blood seeped from the cut on Zuko's hand as he picked up his fallen sword. Breathing hard, he knew this would be the end, if he did not…

No sooner had the arrows been released, he created a wall of fire in the surrounding trees, the famous archers fled the flames as Zuko, Lang, Sen-Su and Keri used it as an distraction and escaped into the woods.

Author's Note: Sorry I haven't updated for so long! I've been suffering from LOZI (Lack of Zuko Inspiration)

Update Coming Soon.