A.N: First off I am sorry for the time it took to get this chapter out but I have been busy with college life but now that I am a few weeks into the semester everything has been settling down so I have had more time. Also I have decided on a new system of pre-writing chapters so hopefully it will make things go faster. I hope you guys like this chapter and I am really happy that the adventure is starting now which will be so much more fun to write than just the start up. Please review and thanks to all for having my story in your alerts and or favs.
It had been some time since we say the bright light and Zuko was preparing everything that he could. He started training right after he gave his crew orders about where the ship would go. Usually I enjoyed training with Zuko but today I stayed away from it because I knew that Zuko was going to work so hard to be ready and I really did not want to get in his way. Instead I decided that I would go to the rear of the ship and do my meditation for the day.
Eventually I got up since my legs were getting stiff and numb from the cold. I decided to go to the railings and just look out at the frozen region. When I was around others I would complain about this place but in reality I missed it so much. After the years in the Fire Nation I still have gotten use to the humid heat. Also it was cool to see all the different plants that grew around the palace but they do not compare to the blue sea and they ice that floats in it. It was just a beautiful sight see all the different forms of the ice and at times I swear I heard the ice and water calling to me asking me to make my own shapes of ice.
Sometimes at night when everyone was below deck I came up to the deck of the ship and I would answer the call of the water. I did not do any big water bending moves I only did small water spheres or make tiny ice figures. It was a great thing to feel connected to water again. Bending fire was something I really enjoyed but I needed to have water too or else it seemed wrong.
I was looking out a large ice formation when I noticed a flash that came from behind me. I turned around expecting to see Zuko or Iroh performing an advance firebending move but instead I saw what looked to be a flare in the air. It was an odd thing to see since there was no smoke indicating a Fire Nation Ship. I decided to go to the front of the ship and check on Zuko and Iroh. What I say when I got to the front was Zuko looking through is telescope point in the distance and I could barely make out a ship wrecked Fire Ship and then much farther over was what looked to be a camp or maybe a small village.
By the time I reached Zuko he was backing away from his telescope and was walking towards the door to get inside the ship. "Zuko, What did you see?" I was really curious especially since I have heard stories of the Southern Water Tribes but never heard of anyone meeting one.
Zuko smirked and said, "It's not what I saw it's who I saw. Lee, I believe our banishment will soon be over. Now go prepare for a fight!" Zuko rushed off after telling me this and I followed shortly after his command.
I went to my room and put on my fighting clothes. Unlike most soldiers who wore heavy armor I went a different route. I wore very light armor since most of my fighting demanded as much mobility. I was very proud with myself since I was one of the very few firebenders who could also use non-bending martial arts. This gave me a huge advantage in fighting since I would also have that ability to surprise an enemy. It was great when fighting Azula back at the palace. She may be a prodigy in firebending but she had a difficult time with any other fighting. It made me happy that I could do something better than her so she would realize that she is not perfect.
Ever since I discovered my firebending Azula was not the only firebending prodigy and it really got to her especially since some saw that I might be better than her since it did not take long for me to master basics and after that I kept learning things at a faster pace than she did. Sometimes when we were forced to spar I would even beat her in a fight. It was extremely rare and I did use some non-firebending but it showed that she could not walk all over me. I knew Zuko was happy with this since it meant Azula would not bother us as much but it was bittersweet thing for Zuko. I could tell at times that Zuko felt he wasn't a worthy Fire Prince because he thought his firebending was not good enough which is not true. From what I had seen in the Fire Nation Zuko is a very determined and good firebender but being around two prodigies can make anyone seem lesser. The thing I wish Zuko would see is that he is a good warrior. He was a good bender and few people know but Zuko is an amazing swordsman with broadswords. I could barely fight with one sword but he could do two which is just an amazing feat. One day I hope he can see his strength but I doubt it will be soon. Right now it is all about the avatar.
When I was done with my armor I headed over to the armory where Zuko was getting ready. When I reached the door I decided to knock first then enter the room. I saw Zuko in traditional Fire Nation Armor which meant a lot of black and dark reds. I noticed him wearing helmet which looked just ridiculous on him but I didn't say anything since it didn't seem like the right time. "So Zuko what's the plan?" I realized that all I knew so far was Zuko saw someone he thought was the avatar and that we had to get ready for a landing that should be happening soon.
"I will go in, capture the avatar, and then we sail home" Zuko said in a straight forward way. I knew Zuko could be a little rash when it came to decisions. It was a downfall of his and right now we could not afford to be rash.
I decided to add my logic and said, "I'd say that's a good and simple plan but I think we might want to go into a little more detail. The Avatar is a master of elements so it's not like we can just grab him or anything plus what about the Water Tribe. They are fierce warriors we might not have the man power to fight both Avatar and Water Tribe."
Zuko's replied with, "Lee I am surprised with you. I thought you would know with all the reading you did that the Southern Water Tribe has been reduce to almost nothingness and has no warrior waterbenders. They were wiped out years ago and as for the Avatar I will have four firebenders and me go out to confront him. If we have any problems I will bring out my surprise."
"What surprise do you have?" I asked.
"Not what but who and that who is you. You will stay on the ship and watch from above. If anything happens you can fly in to take the Avatar by surprise. You are the strongest and most skilled firebender we have and I know you can do it."
"So I stay on the boat. I can do that." I was somewhat upset to hear this because I wanted to see the people of the Southern Water Tribe and wanted to be there when Zuko got the Avatar but I can say that this put my mind at some ease now since I didn't have to harm and Water Tribe.
"I'm glad you are with me Lee because I don't know if I could have gone this trip alone." Zuko had his arm on my shoulder when he told me this and I just gave him a nod. We then heard the alarm meaning we would be hitting shore soon. "Let's get him!" Zuko said this then moved to the ramp that would take him to the land while I went to my post a top on the bow.
I watched the scene unfold below and I could not help but laugh even though it should have been a serious moment. First off there was a single warrior from the tribe who was probably the same age as Zuko but not as threatening. He had great determination but Zuko just kept swatting him away. The sad part is that the warrior knocks Zuko off his feet with his boomerang which Zuko did not know that boomerangs come back. At one point Zuko seemed to be very angry not seeing the Avatar so he decided to grab an older woman and threaten the group. It was then that I saw a blur object sliding on the snow come into the village and knock over Zuko. I heard someone in the crew say," It's him, the Avatar. Isn't it?"
I answered with, "I believe you are right."
