14 - Funeral
Zuko was amazed it had taken him so long to figure out. His uncle would just say it was because of his stubbornness. But, he still couldn't believe it had taken him so long to come up with this. It wasn't full proof by any means. There was still a lot that had to go right if he was to succeed. He had to get so many others on board and most likely say goodbye to his crew. That part almost killed him. They had been together for years. But it would be the best thing thing for them. He knew it was true, but it still hurt.
He knew he should really talk to Katara before he addressed everyone else. But, he was too afraid of her reaction. So, like the coward he had always believed himself not to be he readied himself to address the whole ship.
They held the funeral that three bodies were placed in one of the lifeboats were readied to set adrift. When everything was ready Zuko stepped up to make his speach. "I don't know how to thank every single one of you for the loyalty and bravery you have shown over these last few years. We are very much on our own. The world hates and distrust us because of our nation and if our treason was ever to be discovered, we are sure to be hunted by our own nation. But, we all know it's the right thing to do. We have seen the devastation Ozai has created and you are the brave few strong enough to stand up and say no more. We lost three of those good men today. Unknowingly, killed by some of the very same people they were trying to save. This is a hard loss, not only to our cause. But to a lot of us personally," Zuko looked down thinking of Cogan. " Let's send these good men off," he said gesturing for them to release the boat. After they set the boat adrift Zuko sent a ball of fire soaring in the air to land directly on the boat setting it ablaze.
After a few moments of them watching their warriors and friends drift away in the burning ship, Zuko turned around to address them again."I know you are all aware of Jee Lee's recent betrayal," he said glancing briefly at Katara. She had healed herself up a bit more that day. But, was still clearly very banged up. He could see angry looks and whispers murmured about the crowd. "There is something you all don't know. Jee Lee informed Ozai of our plan to overthrow him. You can be guaranteed that he is sending an army after us. I have the greatest respect for all of you and I appreciate everything you have done for me. You stuck by me for years, even after many mistakes. I don't deserve to lead good men like you. That's why I now ask you to leave, the river boat is ready to take myself, my uncle and Katara ashore. But, I want you to take this ship back to the Fire Nation, return home to your families. Tell Ozai you descovered my true plot, overthrew me and took back the ship."
The men shifted in confusion for a bit before one brave soldier stepped out of the crowd, looked up at Zuko and proudly announced that he would go with him. Before Zuko could even open his mouth to reply, every man stepped forward joining the young brave soldier in a show of loyalty. Zuko shook his head and began to protest when the young soldier stopped him. "No Prince Zuko. We are staying with you. We don't want to go back to fight a war we don't believe in. We want to help end it. And we believe in you. We know you will lead the Fire Nation back to the honor and glory it once know the risks at stake, we always did. Whatever comes now, we'll face it together." He stood tall and proud as he addressed his Prince before the rest of his crewmen.
"What's your name?" Katara asked him.
"It's Hachiro," Zuko replied for him. "Thank you for your loyalty Hachiro, and all of you. I've been honored to fight beside all of you and would be honored to continue to do so. We can no longer fight this war the way we have been. I and anyone who follows me will publicly renounce their aliegance to Fire Lord Ozai. This will mean fighting alongside our own countrymen, belong to no nation. Anyone who follows me will themselves be banished, not able to visit family or send letters. I don't know if the other nations will accept our help, we v will be even more on our own then we were before. But, we will never again have to betray our own sense of right and wrong to please one man. We can start rescuing and rebuilding, rather then destroying and even murdering. No more can Ozai destroy our honor," at that the men erupted into cheers.
Zuko continued, "I know what our next step is. There is one thing that Ozai fears. That's the avatar. For years we have hunted and search for him, in order to please Ozai and maybe end the war someday in the distant future." Zuko took a deep breath before continuing, glancing at Katara wondering how she would take his plan. He had wanted to talk to her and Iroh about it but it now looked like he was out of time. "If we are going to publicly declare civil war, we will need allies. We all need to work together as one if we hope to defeat Ozai. And I mean all the nation's. The avatar is the only one that can bring this world back into balance and I suggest we help him do that. He may just be a twelve years old boy, but he's still the avatar and our only hope. Only he can get each nation to stop fighting Ozai separately and combine our forces. Our new path is simple. We're going to join the avstar." Zuko was stunned to hear even louder chears ring out through the men. He hadn't been sure what to expect. But, it certainly wasn't this.
"My invitation still stands," he continued cutting through the chearing men. "This is extremely danerous what we are about to undertake. It's not likely the avatar will except us either. We did just have him locked in our brig not that long ago, don't forget. If anyone would like to leave I won't hold it against you." Nobody moved and after awhile Zuko finally nodded. "Alright, first we got to find him."
Sorry, it took so long. This chapter was important to me and I wanted to get it exactly right. Let me know what you think.