Chapter 38: The Waning Moon Part 2
Sorry about the pause Diary, Katara just came in to check on me.
Don't get me wrong I'm fine now but…but…
I guess I'll have to continue my story so you understand the full picture.
Now, where was I? Oh yes.
I just betrayed my nation, joined the Avatar, helped the Water Tribe chief form battle tactics against my own father's (and uncle's) plans, AND just fought prince Zuko (who is actually ALIVE and very angry with me) and who knocked me out and kidnapped Aang right under my very nose, leaving me and an unconscious Katara at the Spirit Shrine in the North Pole.
Yeah…things were not looking great for me whatsoever.
But wait there's more. In fact, there's a hell of a lot more, and let's just say it just kept snowballing downhill…
"Jade! Jade! Wake up!" A hand was patting her cheek fiercely.
"Mmn…Shen stoptha-" Jade mumbled, wincing as her eyes cracked open. Above her the worried face of Princess Yue hovered anxiously, her blue eyes wide in the bright sunlight.
Wait sunlight?
"What the? What's going on?" Jade sat up quickly, barely avoiding head-butting the princess who jumped out of the way in time.
"We were hoping you could tell us." A sarcastic male voice sounded somewhere to her left.
"Sokka?" she blinked as the young water tribe warrior gently helped his still very woozy sister up to her feet.
"Where's Aang?" Katara rasped rubbing at her head, from which Jade could see a small lump forming.
"I don't know" Jade admitted, shutting her eyes as all the horrible events came rushing back to the forefront of her mind.
Zhao's threats, Kira's torture. Escaping the fleet…fighting Zuko here in the oasis.
Zuko…
"Oh no-Zuko!" Jade cried out leaping onto her feet and looking about wildly. "Where is he? Have you seen him?"
"Have we seen your hot-headed, scar faced, crazy fire-bending boyfriend? No. Why? Was he here?" Sokka scowled only to jump back as Jade cried out.
"Yes! He was!"
"And he's got Aang!" Katara sunk to her knees by the pool with the black and white fish.
There was a distant rumble and a shaking in the ground. It was so strong that Jade didn't need her seismic senses to know what was happening.
"Have they-" she turned to Yue who nodded solemnly and sadly.
"The Fire Nation started attacking barely an hour ago. But thankfully our forces seem to be keeping them at bay for now. It was a good thing you gave my father all that information. At least now we have some chance without the Avatar…" she trailed off as Katara gave an audible sniff.
"I can't believe I lost him" she mumbled, her blue eyes misted over as she stared at the pair of swirling fish in the pond before her.
"You did everything you could. And now we need to do everything we can to get him back. Zuko can't have gotten far. We'll find him. Aang's gonna be fine" Sokka put a hand on his sister's shoulder, but not before sparing Jade a small glare.
Jade shifted on her feet uncomfortably. She knew deep down that Sokka must hold her responsible for losing Aang, and quite honestly, she couldn't blame him. Not when deep down she privately agreed with every unspoken harshness that blazed in his blue eyes as he led Katara and Yue over to the massive form of Appa who stood behind them.
There was a soft crooning sound and Jade and the others looked back down to the ground, where a dejected Momo was sitting mournfully.
"It's alright" Katara smiled gently down at the flying lemur "You stay here Momo. In case Aang comes back."
The small lemur crooned mournfully again and Jade felt her heart almost break in two at the sound.
If only she could've just fought back a little harder…
No. She should stay here. She'd done enough damage.
She began turning her back on the bison.
"Aren't you coming?"
"Huh?" Jade blinked and looked over her shoulder to where Sokka scowled from his position at the great bison's reins.
"You are coming, aren't you? I mean, you are his girlfriend."
"What? You mean Zuko-" Jade gulped.
"No, I mean the gigantic Unagi of Kyoshi-island." Sokka rolled his eyes sardonically much to his sister's annoyance.
"No, I'm not Zuko's girlfriend…not anymore" Jade mumbled quietly, as she quickly slipped on her blue fur Water-Tribe coat and scrambled up the sides of the great Sky Bison and into its saddle.
If Sokka or anyone else had anything else to say on that topic they kept their mouths shut as with a quick "Yip, yip!" they all ascended to the skies on the bison.
But even as they rose higher and higher into the sky, Jade couldn't even find it in herself to be excited, even by a smidgeon of the thought that she was flying up in the air.
All she could think about, was where Zuko and the Avatar were, and whether they both were alright.
I'm so sorry Zuko.
She scrubbed hard at her burning eyes, cringing away slightly as Katara sidled over, her face worried.
As she did so, Yue tactfully sidled up towards the front to quietly talk to Sokka.
"Hey. You okay?" Katara put a hand on a still sniffling Jade's shoulder.
"I'm sorry it's just-sorry" Jade bit down on her lip as she sucked in a deep breath.
"It's okay. I understand." Katara mumbled softly "I mean I don't like Zuko that much but…but I also know that you did whatever you could to help Aang. You didn't have to but you did…so thanks."
There was a silence in which Jade quietly watched Yue and Sokka talking. Despite the severity of the situation, the water tribe boy and princess were managing to look at one another with some form of shared tenderness.
It made her almost sick to watch. Not because it was disgusting…but because it was just too painful.
She shut her eyes, her tears hot against her skin and the blistering cold winds that billowed up around them in the sky.
But nothing was colder than that horrible numbness that chilled through her brain and heart as a hurt and angry voice echoed in the cavity of her skull.
"WHY are you doing this? Why are you betraying me?! I thought you understood! I thought you cared-"
"You-you said you would stay with me. That you were mine"
Zuko, wherever you are…I'm so-so sorry.
Prince Zuko, had never felt so exhausted in his life.
But it wasn't the trek through snow with the Avatar on his back that was tiring him out. Or the fact that he had just escaped near death from the sheet of ice collapsing underneath his feet. But the weight in his own chest.
He wasn't quite sure what to think. His heart felt hollow. Like someone had taken a sword and carved out most of his organs from his chest cavity.
Or rather a girl had taken a sai and carved out everything inside. A girl with jade-green eyes.
Jade…
How that name made his blood boil.
He should've known this would happen. He should've known it was all too good to be true. That she'd be too good to be true. He should've known since first he laid his eyes on her sweet pale face when she'd first yelled at him all those months ago.
"Shelter" he muttered to himself as he quietly slunk himself and his cargo into a small narrow cave that stood amongst the great rocks that littered the vast icy tundra.
It wasn't much, but at least it was dry and covered, he reasoned as he carefully deposited the young Avatar onto one side of the cave before sitting on the other side.
As he settled down in his spot, there was a small clatter. Hastily the prince readied himself into a stance, only to realize with a small jolt, that the noise had come from him, or rather something that had fallen from his person.
He looked down to the ground and felt his stomach roll uncomfortably as something green glimmered up at him from the cold floor.
I can't believe I'm still carrying this worthless rock.
He glared as he reached down to pick the green jade pendant off the floor, not liking the way it glinted in the dim light.
Just like her eyes…
Those bright green eyes that had once looked up at him with tender affection…but now had looked upon him with a fire that pierced straight through his very soul.
How he hated them…and yet for some reason his hand could not throw the trinket away.
With a growl of frustration, he pocketed the pendant and plonked himself back down onto the cold cave floor, puffing out fire into his half-frozen palms.
Oh well. At least he had the Avatar in his clutches.
And speaking of the young airbender…
Zuko's eyes narrowed as he looked upon the still unconscious youth. The tattoos that adorned the boy's head and arms were still glowing as eerily as they were when he first snatched him.
Just what is going on with him?
Little did he know he wasn't the only one thinking that.
Just what is going on with him?
Ruishi narrowed his eyes at his brother as they both stalked up the stairs of the ship's command tower.
Neither had spoken a word since they had given the order to launch the siege upon the North Pole. But it wasn't the lack of communication that was worrying the eldest Shi brother.
No. It was the strange gleam in his brothers eye. That horrible triumphant gleam, even though he was looking peeved off by the less than satisfactory news coming from the first assault ships.
He'd seen it before during the war meetings. Whenever they came to the topic of physically taking over the Water Tribe, Zhao would always look victorious, smug. However this wasn't the smugness of overconfidence. Rather it was the smugness of a man who knew something terrible and couldn't wait to act upon his thoughts.
Ruishi wondered vaguely if this was what had made Jade run. Whilst he'd always figured his daughter was one day going to defect, her recent departure still seemed too sudden a move. Despite her often reckless behaviour, Ruishi Shi knew his daughter to be surprisingly careful when making a big decision, especially if it meant her having to leave her family behind. The only reason he could think of her wanting to leave that quickly was if she had found out something so earth-shatteringly terrible about Zhao's master plan.
Still, despite all his anguish at finally letting his daughter go, Ruishi had to admit he was privately very proud of the way she had countered his initial attack plan. Oh yes. He knew she had a hand in the new and surprisingly strong defence of the great ice city.
True the Water Benders knew how to fight on their terrain, but only a Fire Nation could really understand and defend against their own kind.
If my grandfather could see her, he'd be rolling in his grave
Ruishi suppressed a small smirk as he and Zhao stepped quickly up onto the top balcony, where General Iroh was talking with a very stricken faced Shen.
The poor boy, Ruishi stared sadly at his only son's worried anxious face. Ever since it was confirmed that Jade had been rescued by the Avatar he'd been worried sick. Had Zhao allowed him a moment alone with his son, Ruishi might have comforted him. But now all he could give him was a reassuring nod as he patted his son on the shoulder in greeting.
"She'll be alright" he murmured softly, so that only Shen could hear.
"I know…it's just…all those years she trailed after me like a lost turtle-duckling and now…" Shen's voice trailed away as he stared out over the expanse of white, dotted by fire and black ships.
Behind both Ruishi and Shen's backs, Zhao watched the father and son.
Try as hard as he might, the Admiral could not quite mask the small sneer of envy. It was like watching his childhood all over again, with him standing dutifully back whilst Ryuutaro put a proud hand on his tall brother's shoulders. But unlike their father, Ruishi's eyes on his son were the warm, amber brown that their mother had.
Despite himself, Zhao felt his chest constrict a little. It had been a long time since he'd seen his own mother now that he thought about it. She was dead now but even then, he'd spared her little attention or time in her later years. Pleasing his father, and filling the space of the pride of the family had taken up all his time and energy.
She had been a delicate little thing. Elegant and graceful, but possessed of a quiet strength. Traits that had oddly enough, manifested in her only Earth Bending granddaughter.
No. Don't even go there. There's no way in all the spirit world, that that abominable bastard child is anything like my mother. Not our sweet, kind…No-no Zhao stop. Stop getting distracted. That girl is the enemy now. You must find her and destroy her along with everything else in that damned city
Zhao shook his head fiercely. No. Now was not the time to wallow in his own insecurities. Now he had a war to win.
"Send in the second wave"
Jade winced as the frozen air blasted against her face. She'd drawn the furry hood of her blue coat up over her head and had tucked her hands into a spare pair of mitts Katara had given her, but she was still almost freezing.
How Zuko ever expected to survive this blizzard was beyond her guess, even if he was a firebender.
"You okay?" Yue spoke loudly from beside her.
"Yeah! How can you guys live in this cold?" Jade yelled over the howling of the icy winds.
"You get used to it! But technically most Water Tribe don't live out in a blizzard!" Yue yelled, before adding quickly. "What's the matter? Too cold?"
"A little chilly yes!" Jade snorted derisively and despite the situation, even Sokka and Katara managed a brief smirk. But it was quick to vanish as they all turned back to look out over the snowy ground. All of it was just one great big white mass.
Jade shut her eyes good and tight.
Zuko, Aang. Wherever you are, please be alright.
"You know if it weren't for you, Jade probably wouldn't have left"
Zuko didn't know why he was talking to the unconscious Avatar. He just had started talking to himself as he was warming up his hands and then, seeing as the boy's body was there, just started addressing it.
He wasn't sure what he wanted to achieve, but anything was better than just being left to his own thoughts. Besides blaming the Avatar when his entire world was collapsing around him felt kind of good. Especially after the disastrous events of last night.
"I finally have you." he continued staring at the boy curled up on his side across from him. "But I can't get you home because of this blizzard."
The boy didn't move. He just lay there on his side completely out for the count.
Zuko stood up, and walked over to the cave entrance, watching the harsh blizzard with slightly vacant distant eyes.
"There's always something. Not that you would understand. You're like my sister. Everything always came easy to her. She's a firebending prodigy and everyone adores her-" he spat that last bit out quite viciously before continuing "-My father says she was born lucky. He says I was lucky to be born…"
He prized out the jade pendant from his pocket and stared down at it in his palm. It glimmered up at him, and once again the prince imagined those green eyes staring gently at him with affection.
"But I don't need luck. I don't want it. I've always had to struggle and fight for what I want. It's what made me who I am."
And with that he threw the bright green gem. He threw it with all his might, only to have it land just a few feet away after bouncing off a nearby rock.
He turned his back on the blizzard his fists clenching open and shut.
Finally. Finally, he was rid of the damned thing.
He was rid of her.
That little leech. With her big green eyes. Her soft brown hair…those small delicate hands… That smile…
"Stop it! Stop it!" he growled clutching at his head. But even as he said this, he could hear her smirk inside his head.
Make me…Princess.
"Damn you Lucky"
His fist clenched tight as he turned around and ran out into the blizzard.
He was quick to find the spot, but it took him time to dig under the snow. It was already rising fast and he had to use his firebending to even make a dent in it.
But it was well worth the effort and soon he was back at the cave, tucking a small green pendent safely back into his pocket.
"Finally. Took them long enough"
Admiral Zhao sighed with relief as he leaned back from his long telescope. The grappling hooks were finally sinking through the great walls of the city and bringing down the walls for the rest of the tanks and komodo Rhino's to come through, far later than he had predicted.
How could the Water Tribe have been so cunning against his designs? It wasn't as if they knew his plans…
But what if they did?
Zhao felt his blood run cold.
That little mud-wench. She couldn't have. There is no way she could've- What could she possibly know about battle planning?
He folded up his telescope with a scowl.
There was no choice. He'd have to accelerate his plans for the moon and ocean spirit. It was his only chance-
His thoughts were interrupted by General Iroh's worried exclamation from his side.
"I don't need to remind you about the time limit. If we don't get to defeat the Water Tribe before the full moon rises, they will be undefeated"
Zhao quickly schooled his face back into his usual smirk. The last thing he needed was for his men to see his nerves rattled, least of all by his little bastard neice. Especially not when her dear older brother decided to walk up to join them.
"I assure you I have everything under control. I intend to remove the moon as a factor"
"Remove the moon? How?" Both Lord Iroh and Shen Shi stared at Zhao, horror flooding their faces, but they were almost distracted by a random guard suddenly running up and flinging off his helmet.
"Admiral Choy!" a young, NOT fire nation man with dark skin and blue eyes proclaimed loudly. "Prepare to meet your fate.
He charged. Shen and Iroh merely dodged to the side as Zhao smoothly grabbed the assaulting youth's arm and threw him over the balcony and into the icy waters below.
"As I was saying-" Zhao continued, as if nothing had happened, smirking as Shen and Iroh looked at him as if he had grown a second head "- Years ago I stumbled upon a great and powerful secret. The identity of the moon spirit's mortal form"
"What?" Iroh gasped.
"Mortal form?" Shen froze where he stood, not liking the now malicious gleam in his uncle's eye as he continued to speak.
"It was just after the Siege of the Shan Mountains. I was a young lieutenant serving under General Shu in the Earth Kingdom. I discovered as secret library. Underground, in fact. I tore through scroll after scroll. One of them contained a detailed illustration and the words moon and ocean. I knew then that these spirits could be found and killed. And that it was my destiny to do so"
"WHAT?!" Shen yelled angrily balking forwards, but was quickly held back by Lord Iroh's arm.
"Zhao" The old lord hissed "The spirits are NOT to be trifled with"
But Zhao merely waved the older general off with a smirk.
"Yes, yes I know you fear the spirits Iroh. I've even heard rumours about your journey into the Spirit World. But the ocean and moon spirits gave up their immortality to become a part of our world and now they will face the consequences."
"No! you will face the consequences. And you will drag us all down with you!"
Zhao turned around. Shen had stepped away from Iroh's arm, his eyes blazing with wrath, his fists clenched tight.
Zhao rolled his eyes.
"These are matters far too above your young head, so back off before you hurt yourself"
"Says the megalomaniac who wants to mess with the spirits." Shen growled and was pleased to see his uncle's eyes flash with fury for a split second.
"I would hold my tongue if I were you boy. Unless you'd want to end up like your dear mother and your sister-"
"My sister is not dead, she's alive and fighting you. And I would be proud if I would die an honourable death like my mother so I'll take that as a compliment any day. Even if it comes from slime like you Uncle."
Zhao's fingers twitched as a muscle in his cheek began ticking ever so slightly.
First that niece, and now this brat? What a plague these two bastards were proving to be on his family tree.
"Careful now, Shen. One might think you were committing treachery if you continue to speak like that about your filthy relatives" he tutted mockingly and was pleased to see the younger man's restraint cracking.
"If doing the right thing means being branded a traitor then so be it. You aren't a warrior, you're just a mad cold hearted murderer." Shen raised his voice louder so that those below the balcony could hear.
"Enough" Zhao snapped, realizing with horror that his own men were beginning to listen to their younger compatriot, their faces alive with worry, fear and most horribly…realization.
"You would jeopardize the stability of your own nation just so you could boost your ego-"
"I said enough boy!"
"The Fire Nation needs the Moon too. Without it our way of life would be gone. Fishermen, heck, even our own Navy wouldn't be able to navigate the waters. All because you couldn't beat the water tribe fair and square in a fight-"
"Shut up!" Zhao lunged incensed but was pushed back by Iroh who tried to come between the two men.
Now it was Shen's turn to smirk.
"Jade was right. You are a coward"
"How dare YOU!" Zhao shoved Iroh aside and leapt towards his nephew who readied his fists.
He blocked the first fist, but had to dodge the second one as it burst into flame.
Zhao's roar echoed over the entire ship, filling every one of the soldiers with dread. But not Shen Shi.
With a deft swipe of his arm he sliced a row of fire towards his uncle who was forced to stumble back as he blocked it, but not before shooting another burst of fire.
Shen swiftly dodged, his quick footwork neatly placing him on Zhao's left flank where he zoned in for a kick to his opponents ribs. Zhao grunted as he was once more thrown backwards but remained standing.
"You little-" he wheezed as he dodged to the side wincing as his side ached. No matter how much he tried to put on airs of importance, even he couldn't deny that he wasn't getting any younger.
Grandfather was right… these brats really are of the Shi blood.
But the realization only made his own blood boil even hotter. To think that his brother's bastards would steal the gifts of their ancestors and use it to shame their line. It was unforgivable.
His rage made his inner fire burn hotter than ever before as he charged once more at his nephew who raised his hands to block, only to get knocked down hard by his uncles foot as it swept out from under his legs.
"You may be talented boy" Zhao snarled, looming down over the younger man as he pinned him down to the deck.
He raised a fiery hand.
Only to get a fist slam into his own jaw. It was Shen. He'd somehow managed to worm his hand out of Zhao's grip and had struck upwards like lightning.
Zhao reeled off his nephew, cursing as he tasted something red, warm and salty trickle down the front of his chin.
He looked up just in time to see Shen lunge for him, another fist readied to strike.
It hit Zhao hard in the stomach, but the old admiral was quick to strike back, hitting the younger man in the jaw and sending him flying backwards again. But he still had enough of his wits about him to aim a ball of fire for his uncle's head.
It missed as Zhao dodged to the side, but it was a very close call. There was the slight smell of burning hair as Zhao's disturbed top knot barely grazed the bottom of the flaming projectile.
"You little BASTARD!" the Admiral roared lunging for Shen who was scrambling to his feet.
But before Zhao could touch him with a flaming fist of his own there was a blast of light and a loud crashing sound.
Zhao reeled back crying out in shock as the blue lightning almost hit the point his foot had just been on.
"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING BROTHER?!" he yelled, barely able to hide the panic in his voice as Ruishi Shi stormed up on deck, lightning dancing from his fingers.
"Protecting my son" he snarled and Zhao quickly took a step back.
Not that anyone could blame him. The look on Ruishi's face alone was enough to sink ten large battleships. The only person who wasn't afraid of the expression was Shen as he blurted out.
"Father! He means to kill the spirits. He says the moon spirit has a mortal form in the Water Tribe and he means to kill it to defeat them."
"That's impossible." Ruishi's eyes hardened "The spirits place is in the spirit world. What purpose would they have in remaining here in the mortal world where they're in danger of us humans?"
"Yes well…according to your brother the moon and the ocean gave up their immortality a long time ago for some reason." a shaken Lord Iroh finally stepped forwards. Ruishi turned to his old friend, but upon seeing the grim look in his eyes, dropped the scorn that had been threatening to show and let it give way to horror.
"You…" he turned to Zhao, fists clenched and trembling. "You would mess with the spirits? YOU ZHAO?! You of all people who were taught spiritual law-"
"Oh don't get all high and mighty on me brother!" Zhao spat fear finally giving way to his anger again. "You might believe our Grandfather's garbage about the spirits mighty powers and their terrible retribution, but unlike some cowards I'm not so afraid"
"Only a fool is not afraid" Ruishi rumbled. "Launching an invasion is one thing. But threatening the lives of all those that live on the earth…that's beyond diabolical…even for you"
Ruishi turned to face the stunned guards who had run up onto the deck behind him.
"Get me the other Admiral's on the line. And send Captain Xi up to-"
There was a flash of fire …
…the glint of steel…
…the red of blood.
"FATHER!"
The yell of his son's distress was muffled to Ruishi Shi's ears as he turned his head to look behind him, his body stuck mid step.
But instead of seeing his brave son's fierce eyes and kind good natured face, all he saw was the furious, bloody and snarling face of his brother, Zhao Shi staring back at him as he twisted the sword as it pierced straight through his back and out his stomach.
His legs buckled beneath him, just as Zhao pulled away, mouth open and panting as he watched Shen rush to his father's side.
"Father! Father stay with me! Father come on!" Shen pressed his hands against his father's stomach, but it was no use. The blood was pouring out over his hands in great dollups of red.
"Father…come on!" Shen growled, tears leaking from the corners of his eyes as he looked up and yelled to all the shocked onlookers on the deck.
"Somebody please help him!"
Several men balked forwards but were stopped as Zhao let loose a wave of fire which quickly turned into a barrier.
"If ANY OF YOU DARE HELP THIS BOY YOU'LL ALL SUFFER THE SAME FATE!" he roared and several of the guards scuttled back in terror. His face was twisted with wrath but there was a strange glint to his eyes…it could've been sadness…but it also made him look quite deranged.
The only one who dared approach Shen was Lord Iroh who all but shoved the disturbed Admiral to the side, his own face somber and sad as he knelt by the younger man's side and began trying to help staunch the wound with his cloak.
"Ruishi…my old friend…you must hold on" he muttered as Ruishi gasped and rasped for breath.
"I-Iroh…" he breathed "F-find Jade…the lotus…she must have the lotus…her…her time has come…she needs it…" he reached up and put something into Iroh's hand. Iroh tucked it away quickly in the sleeve of his robes, nodding as tears spilled from his eyes.
"father stop you need to focus on breathing! WILL NONE OF YOU HELP!" Shen yelled back to the terrified troops on the other side of the fiery wall.
"S-Shen…my son…" Ruishi reached out and tenderly stroked his son's cheek. "You've…you've become such a strong man… far better than I ever was at your age-"
"father stop this!" Shen grabbed his father's hand "You'll get through this, just hold on"
"No…not this time" Ruishi shook his head before letting it fall back to the deck. "I go now…to join your mother in the spirit world….just as you must follow your own path…and stop this madness once and for all. The world needs men like you…men who are not just strong…but kind…wise…find my old master. He will show you the way…then it's up to you to take it…"
"Father-"
"You have…you have always been my greatest love and joy…you and your sister…"
"Father…"
"And I'm so proud of you…"
"Father-"
"So-so…proud…"
"FATHER! NO! FATHER!"
But it was too late.
No matter how much Shen Shi yelled…his father Ruishi Shi was gone…forever…
"Father! No! FATHER!"
"Jade! Jade!"
Jade shook out her head as Yue's face suddenly zoomed into view.
"Sorry…" she murmured rubbing her head.
"Are you alright? You look pale"
"All a part of being Fire Nation" Jade snorted but the princess pursed her lips.
"I don't mean it like that"
"I know" Jade sighed, her eyes dropping as she touched a hand to her chest. "It's just…I have a really bad feeling something's gone really, badly, wrong…I can't explain it…but something's not right…" her voice fell away as she turned to look behind towards Appa's tail.
"Don't worry. Prince Zuko can't be getting far in this weather"
"I'm not worried they'll get away in the blizzard. I'm worried they won't" Katara piped in from Jade's other side.
"What she said" Jade muttered not quite meeting the water tribe girls' eyes as the horrible niggling feeling in the back of her mind grew. She wasn't quite sure what it was, but there was something very wrong going on she could feel it in her bones. And it wasn't anything to do with the Prince or the Avatar.
Must be the invasion…its probably still raging unless the Fire Nation have found a way to demolish all the defences in one swoop.
She was torn out of her grim thoughts by Sokka's yell from the reins.
"They're not gonna die in this blizzard. If we know anything it's that Zuko never gives up. They'll survive and we'll find them."
Well he's not wrong there. Once Zuko sets his mind to things he can be pretty stubborn. But still…
Jade looked around them at the cold blizzard. It was harsh and unforgiving as the landscape below.
And yet…
She turned back to the tail of Appa again, biting her lip
Shen…father…I hope you two are alright…
Shen stared at the wall of his cell.
He couldn't believe it.
He just could not believe it.
Ruishi Shi, one of the greatest firebender's of his generation and war hero of the Siege of the Shan mountains…husband to Lien Shi and his and his sister's father…was dead.
Shen's fingers twitched and he looked down on them numbly.
They were still stained red from where he had just tried to staunch the fatal wound.
The wound caused by…
Shen roared, his red fist slamming hard into the wall of his cell as he let loose a howl of misery and despair.
How could he let this happen? HOW?! That was his father, his FATHER?! How could he have let him die? He should've jumped in to save him when he saw Zhao move in for the kill. But no he'd been to slow.
His sobs were interrupted by the creaking of the cell door and a voice hissing.
"Shen"
Shen raised his head to glare at the newcomer, only to pause.
"Chan?"
Doctor Chan poked his head through the door with a small scowl.
"Quickly boy get up, we haven't got much time."
Utterly perplexed Shen got to his feet, his body still feeling somewhat numb as he moved to step outside the open cell. There standing in the corridor were several men he knew very well, led by one very familiar face.
"Lord Iroh. Lieutenant Ji what-"
"What does it look like we're doing boy? We're rescuing you. Zhao's about to leave the ship and we've got to catch up to him quick smart if we're going to stop him from doing whatever crazy scheme he's got planned" Lieutenant Ji scowled grabbing the younger man and quickly shoving on a guard's helmet onto his head.
"What's the point…" Shen growled shoving the older man off. "He's already killed father. And no one obviously has had the guts to stop him before he left"
"Maybe not." Lord Iroh agreed, his face a mask of grief and guilt which he quickly schooled into a stern frown. "But whatever has been done needs to be put aside for the moment. Zhao plans on killing one of the great spirits and unless we stop him, your father's death will be in vain"
"Don't you dare talk about-how dare you-" Shen balked forwards, angry tears springing to his eyes but was stopped by Ji who held him back quickly.
"Shen. Shen! Boy! Look at me. Look at me" Ji forced the younger man to look him full in the face "Shen, I know you're angry. We all are. Your father was a great man…a friend. And believe me when we say we all want nothing more than to see that bastard Zhao rot in hell for what he did. But if we are going to do that we're going to need to work together to find him before he hurts the spirits…before he hurts Jade, because once he's finished with the spirits…"
He trailed off but Shen did not need the explanation.
He nodded hollowly, gulping down the sob threatening to escape him as he sucked in a deep shuddering breath.
"Alright…Alright…what do we have to do?"
Admiral Zhao stared at the sight before him as his smaller frigate steered its way towards the great holes in the half decimated white wall of ice.
It should have been glorious. The destruction, the carnage of their enemies highlighted in the red of the setting sun.
But it wasn't.
Like the ice around him, Zhao's heart felt hard and cold.
His brother was dead. His brother was dead by his hand.
What have I done?
A voice said in the back of his head. It was the voice of his youth. The voice of the young boy that had idolized his brilliant older brother. But it was quickly drowned out by another stronger voice…that of his own from now.
You did what you had to. He was going to ruin everything?
What have I done? I killed my brother
The younger voice shook with horror and disgust while the older voice hissed.
But you saved your bloodline
You killed your brother
He was willing to kill you to save those brats hides
They were his children. You were their uncle…his brother…his best friend
You WERE his best friend…until that wench showed up and took it all. She took him away and he left you behind to deal with father's disappointment.
He was still my brother…and now he's gone…for good…
And what parting words did he leave you? You heard him. He only had eyes for his children…never for you. You were a fool to think a part of him would come back.
He was still my brother…and now he's gone…because of you.
No. It's because of her. It's always because of HER!
"Always her" Zhao hissed as he stepped off the boat and onto dry (or rather icy) land.
"Sir? What are your orders?"
He saw his lieutenant recoil with fear as he turned to address him, his face alive with malice and his eyes gleaming with madness as he sneered.
"We make our way to the Water Tribe's most spiritual sanctum…"
And then we'll crush her into a million pieces.
Night had fallen thick and dark over the icy tundra, making Jade shiver under her coat.
She had never known a chill that could be so icy in her entire life. Even getting half buried under an avalanche wasn't as cold as this.
She shivered and hugged herself tight as she made to look down over the side of the saddle.
Nearly an entire day of searching and they still had not seen hide nor hair of Zuko or the Avatar.
Had she not been so worried, Jade might have marvelled at the fact that she'd been travelling by air to do so. But she could not. Not when something bright suddenly flashed in the corner of her eye.
"Wait what's that?!" she called pointing up to the sky as something bright whooshed past like a comet.
Katara's face lit up brightly with excitement as she recognised a faint shape amidst the mass and glow.
"Look! That's gotta be Aang! Yip-Yip!" she called to Sokka who quickly steered Appa towards the light just as it zoomed downwards towards a mass of rock.
Jade squinted as the moonlight faintly highlighted a slight dip into the rock…or was that a blackness.
"It's a cave!" she breathed excitement flooding through her. "they must've hidden from the storm in there!"
"Look, someone's getting out!" Yue called pointing down just as something came crawling out. They were small and wearing what appeared to be yellow and orange monk robes.
"Aang!"
"Jade look out!" Katara tried reaching but too late, Jade had already leapt out of the saddle to land on the snowy ground a few feet away from the young airbender whose face brightened as he saw her.
"Jade!" he tried to crawl towards her as she ran forwards.
"Don't worry Aang, we got you-"
"Oh really" A hand shot out and grabbed Aang hard. "That little trick won't be enough to escape-whoa!"
Zuko stumbled back as a piece of rock suddenly hurtled his way.
He looked up and stared at Jade as she pulled up some more earth from beneath the snow. It was a bit muddy but it was certainly hard enough to land a decent hit.
"You" Zuko hissed, and Jade saw the hurt flood his amber eyes as he dropped Aang to the ground and stalked towards her.
"come to gloat. To stop me"
"I'd never gloat over you Zuko you know that." Jade said sadly "But if I have to stop you…then I will."
"You could've had it all" he yelled angrily "I could've had my honour and I could've kept you safe. I could've given you everything you ever wanted. But no! you had to go and help the Avatar. You just had to go out there and prove yourself. And leave me behind. How dare you-"
"How dare me? HOW DARE YOU!" Jade screeched, so loudly that even Sokka, Yue and Katara all winced from where they were in the air on Appa.
"crap…now he's in for it" Sokka gulped but was quickly silenced by more of Jade's yells.
"For two years I worked to keep your sorry backside comfortable as we ran around chasing after you and your mad schemes! But did you show any gratitude or respect? NO! Then-then when I tried to help you…to treat you like a normal human being to deflate your big head YOU threatened to expose my secrets unless I helped you save your uncle. Then you made me fall for you, rebel against my own family. FOR SPIRITS SAKE I WAS WILLING TO LEAVE THEM TO STAY WITH YOU! AND THEN WHEN THE SHIP EXPLODED YOU CONTINUED TO FAKE YOUR DEATH EVEN THOUGH YOU WERE RIGHT THERE BESIDE ME THE WHOLE TIME! HECK! THE REASON I JOINED THE AVATAR IN THE FIRST PLACE WAS SO I COULD AVENGE YOUR DEATH AND STOP ZHAO ONCE AND FOR ALL! BUT DO YOU CARE ABOUT THAT? NO! ALL YOU CARE ABOUT IS THAT I "BETRAYED" YOU OUT OF SPITE WHEN IN FACT IT WAS THE EXACT OPPOSITE! AND HOW DARE YOU EVEN THINK, THAT I NEED SOMEONE TO LET ME BE HAPPY?!"
Zuko stared at her in shock as tears streamed down her face.
"Jade…" he breathed reaching out towards her but she took a step back, shaking her head as her voice broke in her throat.
"I care about you Zuko…I always have and I always will…but I am sick…and I am tired of people dictating my life for me, telling me what happiness I am entitled to, or who I have to be loyal to. I-I thought you were different. I thought you understood that. I guess I was wrong."
"No…Jade-" Zuko tried to reach forwards again but the crunching of something on snow stopped them both. It was Katara. She had tried to sneak out onto the snow while Jade had been ranting so she could get to Aang.
But upon catching sight of her, Zuko's eyes flashed in the darkness and he shoved Jade aside roughly.
"Here for a rematch"
"Trust me Zuko. It won't be much of a rematch. Jade move!" Katara called and Jade moved to the side only just in time.
There was the thud of snow as Zuko was quickly raised high in the air and then thudded back down to the ground hard.
Jade stared at him as he lay there. Completely out cold.
Her heart was beating fast. Though why she couldn't tell.
She still felt incredibly angry.
But then she caught sight of the scars that ran over his already pale scarred face. These were fresher than the iconic one over his eye. But the one that caught her eye was the small barely indiscernible one on his nose, which was ever so slightly crooked from where it had been broken.
From where Kira had broken it.
Kira. Zuko had fought Kira…fought him for her. Along with Aang, Sokka and Katara.
But he had also hurt her deeply.
It was all too confusing.
"Hey this is some quality rope!" Sokka's voice barely registered with Jade as she fell to her knees by Zuko's side.
A part of her was screaming to help him, to get him out.
Another part of her was snarling at her to leave him in the cold.
"We have to get to the oasis, the spirits are in trouble." Aang called from Appa's reins as Katara yelled.
"Jade, come on! Jade!"
Jade felt something land behind her, someone small and lightweight and heard him speak, but she didn't hear what he said.
She just stared at Zuko as he stirred.
Where there had once been anger, was now desperation and tenderness. Guilt and shame…and something far deeper…more affectionate.
"Jade…" he breathed, his eyes fluttering shut as exhaustion overtook him.
There was a hand at her shoulder and she jumped as Aang's face suddenly zoomed in on her side, looking expectantly down at Zuko's unconscious form.
Jade turned back to Zuko and rolled her eyes through her tears.
"Damn you Princess. Damn you!"
"Oh sure let's bring our friend's ex-boyfriend who's constantly trying to kill us" Sokka groaned sarcastically as two minutes later Jade and Aang both hauled Zuko's body up onto the saddle before quickly taking off with a Yip-yip, into the skies.
Despite her brother's grumblings, Katara was quick to help Jade wrap an extra warm sleeping bag around the half-frozen prince, her gaze pitying as she took in Jade's haggard appearance.
"Are you okay?"
"Honestly Katara…I don't know" Jade mumbled hoarsely, her eyes misting over as tears threatened to engulf her once again. "I just…I'm just so mad at him…but at the same time…I still care for his sorry ass. And then…then there's Zhao and my family-"
She broke off as she choked down a large sob.
"So what are they like? Your family? Are they all crazy like Zhao or more like you?" Sokka asked folding his arms ignoring his sister's stop talking now look. But Jade quickly wiped her eyes as she snorted:
"No. No they're not like Zhao. I mean yeah, Father's strict, overprotective and a military man to the core, but he's a good person. If he knew what Zhao was really going to do he'd try to stop him no matter what. If it weren't for him believing in me…and helping me with my earthbending I wouldn't be here. And my brother…he's great…he's so goofy, smart and kind. But also so tough…resilient…he was always looking after me, watching my back…By spirits I hope nothing has happened to them." She bit her lip hard as she hugged her arms tight to ward off the cold.
"I'm sure they're both fine wherever they are" Yue reached out to grip her hand consolingly. "They both sound like strong people."
"Yeah…they sure are." Jade nodded, only to blink.
Was it just her or had everything gone-
"The moon…it's…red?" Katara looked to her brother who looked around at everyone else.
"What's going on?" He asked but Yue and Aang were too distracted as entire night sky suddenly was bathed in a horrible eerie red light.
Jade gasped as her head throbbed painfully and another image popped over her minds eye.
"You want to…to d-destroy the moon?" Jade spluttered. "B-but that's impossible, the only way you could do that is if you destroy the moon spirit and the moon spirit is in the spirit world and only the Avatar can reach it with his powers."
"I wouldn't be so sure of that." Zhao smirked, softly his eyes glinting with mad triumph. "If you think me ignorant of the ways of the spirits my dear, you are sorely mistaken. I will kill the moon spirit. And you will not get in my way"
"Oh no…" She breathed.
"Zhao what have you done?"
DUN-DUN-DUUUUUNNNN! and i'll leave you again on that great big icy cliffhanger. Sorry about the long wait, life's been hectic, plus i'm going through all my old fanfiction and having to make some tough decisions on axing or remastering several of my other FFs.
But don't worry. This fic and the sequel WILL NOT get axed or touched as i'm really enjoying writing it :)
Don't worry the next chapter shouldn't take too long to upload. I know i'm a terrible person, killing of a character like that.I actually really hated to kill Ruishi off because he was a personal fave of mine to write. But his death does have a purpose, especially in regards to Lucky Jade Book 2 (which YES i am going to write and Yes it's currently in the planning stages). Seriously though i almost tear-bended when i had to write out Ruishi's last words (i just hope none of you guys are too mad at me).
As for Jade and Zuko they're currently going through round 2 of the angry yelling stage of their break up, which was equally just as hard to write due to the fact that they are both really confused. They're at a breaking point where they do still care for one another deeply and want to be together but can't because they both want to do what they think is right for themselves. I guess we can only hope something works out in the end (seriously i'm writing this and even i don't know how its going to end :P)
Anyways hope you all enjoyed and read/review for more.
Cheers
FuzzyBeta