Chapter 10: Questions
Zuko was pretty sure this was how he was going to die.
His heart raced as he clung to the back of the two-ton bison, his fingers gripping the worn leather of the saddle behind him. The wind whipped around him, feeling like invisible hands grabbing hold of his clothing to pull him from the saddle and drop him toward the ocean waves hundreds of feet below. He could not shake the feeling that at any moment, the bison would make a drastic turn, sending him plummeting into the abyss below.
It was ironic really. Here he was atop the beast that he had tracked and chased around the world because he carried the avatar. All the times he wished the bison would just fall out of the sky for him to claim the Avatar in victory. Now he was praying to Agni that the beast stayed aloft without any troubles.
His gaze darted around, taking in the scene before him. The Water tribe siblings moved around with ease on the saddle, their laughter carried by the wind. They seemed unfazed by the precarious situation, though they did have months of this type of travel experience as he had chased them around the world. Aang sat confidently near the beast's head, his hands gently guiding the reins as if he and the bison were one.
Zuko tried to force his hands to release their hold on the saddle. With his hands restrained behind him he would not be able to stop himself from being thrown from the saddle anyways, if something should happen. The wind howled past him, cutting through his thoughts. He tried his best to keep his view on the horizon, not to vast ocean waves rolling several hundreds of feet below them. Being taken to an Earth Kingdom military base left him with an uneasy feeling in his gut. It was a possibility for a change in his current situation. But if it would be for better remained to be seen, and he was getting tired of uncertainty being his only constant. Shifting his gaze back to the three at the front, their camaraderie a contrast to his solitude. With a sigh he lowered his head, closing his eyes to try and tune out the world around him, he turned his attention to his breathing and fell into practiced meditation to calm his racing heart.
Katara's gaze slipped back to Zuko. They had been traveling for a few hours now and her curiosity was piqued by his uncharacteristic silence since their departure on Appa. Was he asleep? She pondered the question as she studied his form. His head had dipped downward, tilting towards his chest. The rhythmic rise and fall of his shoulders suggested a calm, deep slumber. She felt a flicker of relief at his peaceful demeanor, despite the tumultuous circumstances surrounding them.
Stepping lightly, Katara approached Zuko carefully as the wind whipped around her. As she reached his side, a subtle tremor ran through Appa's powerful frame, and she dropped to her knees as he began his descent to their destination. Her eyes lingered on Zuko's face; the flickering shadows cast by the shifting sunlight dancing across his features. His brow, usually furrowed or eyes narrowed in anger, for once appeared relaxed in slumber.
"Zuko," she called softly, her fingers extending to brush against his shoulder. She did not wish to startle him awake, yet their proximity to the Earth Kingdom military base necessitated his awareness. "Zuko," she repeated, her touch slightly firmer this time, a soothing reassurance meant to rouse him from his slumber. Or at least she had hoped.
She was preparing to make another attempt at rousing him when his eyes snapped open. In an instant, he shifted, rolling away from her touch. His body moved fluidly, assuming a crouched position that held a familiar tension. Katara sat back on her heels, her heart quickening at the abrupt change in his demeanor. The moments of peace and vulnerability that sleep often brought abruptly dissolved, replaced by his characteristic glare.
"Sorry," she apologized. Realizing her attempt at a reassuring touch had inadvertently triggered his instincts. "I thought you should know; we are approaching the military base now."
Zuko blinked rapidly, as though dispelling the remains of his dream. With a slow exhale, his rigid posture relaxed, his glare softening fractionally. He made a small, almost imperceptible nod of his head, an acknowledgment that he had heard her. And she moved back to the front to sit beside her brother.
"What has the firebrat all worked up?" Sokka's inquisitive voice broke through her thoughts, as she returned and sat down beside him.
"Nothing Sokka." She playfully reached over and lightly smacked his arm, the gentle rebuke a reminder for him to reserve his judgments.
As Appa descended, the landscape shifted from endless sky to the sprawling expanse of the Earth Kingdom military base. The sight was a contrast of controlled order and the promise of action, and it carried a weight of anticipation. Katara's gaze swept over the bustling activity below, the soldiers and machinery moving in a choreographed rhythm.
Aang's excitement was palpable as he guided Appa towards a designated landing area. Katara watched the scene unfold, the anticipation of meeting General Fong for their journey to King Bumi tugging at her thoughts. She knew that their mission was vital, a step towards ending the war that had torn their world apart for the past 100 years.
As Appa touched down, the ground rumbled slightly, signifying their arrival. Sokka gave Katara a quick reassuring smile. Aang's wide grin mirrored the unbridled energy he always exuded. The Earth Kingdom military base sprawled like a fortress of resolve around them, its stone structures reflecting the unyielding determination of its occupants. Aang, Katara, and Sokka descended from Appa's saddle. The anticipation was contagious as their eyes took in the orchestrated movements of soldiers, the clanking of armor and weaponry. It was a calculated display of order, a façade of readiness for whatever lay ahead.
General Fong, a tall man with a stern visage, approached them with outstretched arms and a practiced smile. His welcome was warm, his words well-practiced. "Avatar Aang, it is an honor to welcome you. We have been eagerly awaiting your arrival."
Aang returned the smile, "Thank you, General Fong."
Fong's gaze shifted to Katara and Sokka. "And these must be the Water Tribe siblings, Katara and Sokka. Your presence is an honor as well."
Sokka grinned, his hand resting casually on his trusty boomerang. "You got that right."
Fong's expression soured suddenly, and Katara turned, following his unwavering gaze to Zuko's presence behind them. Zuko seemed like an unwelcome surprise. And Katara wondered if the general had been informed of the exiled prince's connection to them before she could say anything on the matter though the general barked out orders.
"You men," he stated pointing at two soldiers standing on the sidelines. "Escort the prisoner to the dungeons."
She watched Zuko's gaze glance between the two soldiers that approached him. He took a step backward from the men as they got closer, but with Appa behind him, he had nowhere to go. Zuko's eyes narrowed sending her an accusing glare, but to her surprise, he remained quiet as the two soldiers stepped forward. Clamped stone manacles around his forearms and used earth bending to move him.
"Wait." Katara interrupted. "What are you planning to do with him," she asked, turning her gaze back to the general.
"They are going to interrogate him. See what information he can give on the Fire Nation." General Fong stated.
"Interrogated?" Katara's eyes widened in surprise. "That is not necessary, is it?"
Fong's lips formed a tight line. "We are at war, Master Katara." His tone made her feel like a child being reprimanded by an elder. "We need every advantage we can get. If the exiled prince holds any value, it will be in any information that he can surrender about the Fire Nation. And it is our responsibility to uncover it."
"He is under the protection of the Avatar," Katara informed him. "He will not be harmed."
Turning his attention back to Aang, Fong's expression was once again one of practiced diplomacy. "The Avatar's wishes will be taken into consideration. Now, let us proceed inside for lunch. I am sure you are all hungry from your travels."
Amidst the ornate furnishings of a modest dining hall, Fong informed them all. "Avatar Aang, I understand that you want me to escort you to Omashu to see King Bumi to be trained. But I believe you are ready to defeat the Fire Lord now."
Aang's brow furrowed, curiosity blending with caution. "What do you mean?"
Fong's eyes glittered with conviction. "You could defeat the Fire Lord, now, if you harness the Avatar state."
Sokka spewed the drink he was gulping down over the contents resting in front of him in surprise. The reaction drew a disgusted look from the young monk.
Katara's voice was immediate, her concern evident. "But General, Aang has no control in the Avatar state. That would be too dangerous."
Fong's gaze hardened; his conviction unwavering. "The Fire Lord's power is growing. Our people are dying. Our chances diminish with each passing day. If there is a moment to strike, it is now. We need to strike before they have the chance to regroup their navy. Their defeat in the north is a tipping point. You were able to accomplish that in the Avatar state, I believe if you could tap into that power again you could rid them from our world."
"We have been conducting research, experimenting with various ideas," Fong continued, his tone carrying an undertone of urgency. "We believe that by inducing certain conditions, we can trigger the Avatar state at will."
Aang's brow furrowed, his mind racing. "But using the Avatar state can be dangerous, I don't know how to control it."
Fong's gaze was unwavering. "We are a military base, equipped with the necessary safety measures. But we do not have time. The Fire Lord's power is growing. Our window of opportunity is closing."
Sokka chimed in, his voice infused with optimism. "Aang, think about it. This could be a way to finally put an end to the war."
"No." Katara's skepticism was evident, her arms crossed as she leaned back in her seat. "This sounds too risky. We are talking about Aang's safety here. And not only his but ours as well." She turned her gaze to Aang before continuing. "General Fong has not seen how you are in that state. It is not only your safety but all of those around you as well."
"Master Katara," General Fong's expression remained resolute. "I assure you; we have taken every precaution into account."
Aang's conflicted gaze shifted between Fong, Sokka, and Katara. He understood the weight of their words. The responsibility to end the war rested heavily on his shoulders. With a slow exhale, he nodded. "Alright, General Fong. I am willing to try."
"Aang." His name came out as a sigh on her lips.
Aang met her gaze, determination burning in his eyes. "I must try Katara. I let the world down before. I cannot do it again."
Katara let out a slow exhale. "I don't think this will go well." She stated and excused herself from the room.
In the dimly lit dungeon, Zuko sat, shackled to a chair. They had bent him onto the chair, leaving stone manacles encircling his wrists and ankles and attaching them to the chair's arms and legs. Some contraption had been placed over the top of his head, effectively holding his head in place so he could not move. The two soldiers had then left, and a third appeared bending the door shut behind him. His mood soured as he realized that even if he could somehow get from the chair, he would be unable to fire bend his way through the thick stone wall.
The soldier stood before him; his face etched in shadows. Then in a slow drawn-out murmur, he began asking Zuko questions.
"What is your name?"
"Are you the Fire Lord's son?"
"Are you from the Fire Nation?"
"Where were you born?"
"Who is your grandfather?"
"Do you know the Dragon of the West?"
"Do you know where he is?"
Zuko could not grasp the reason for these questions. They were easy enough, be he clenched his jaw shut in determination not to answer any other of their questions. After a while, a second soldier joined the first and added questions.
"What is your name?"
"How long have you been in exile?"
"Are you the Fire Lord's son?"
"Why were you exiled?"
The question hit a nerve, and his eyes flashed in irritation, but he remained resolute in his silence.
"Are you from the Fire Nation?"
"How did you come to be traveling with the avatar?"
"Where were you born?"
"What is the Fire Lord planning?"
"Who is your grandfather?"
"Are there any old passageways beneath the Fire Nation capital?"
"Do you know the Dragon of the West?"
"Where does the Fire Navy reside?"
"Do you know where he is?"
"What weapons are the Fire Nation developing?"
On and on it went. The first soldier repeated the same questions repeatedly while the second soldier asked alternative new ones about the Fire Nation's resources, technology, and potential weaknesses. He was not sure how many hours had passed, or how many guards had changed shifts and taken over asking the questions. But the monotone of their murmured questions began to lull him and he found himself feeling drowsy. As the hours continued to pass by, he had begun drifting in and out of an uneasy slumber when suddenly his world shattered.
Zuko awoke with a gasp as the ice-cold water crashed over him, drenching his restrained form in a frigid cascade. A second bucket of the ice water hit him, followed closely by a third bucket which left him coughing and sputtering. His eyes darted around the dimly lit chamber, his exhausted mind trying to make sense of what had just happened.
The Torch on the stone wall flickered dimly, sending eerie shadows dancing across the damp stone walls. The cold of his cell seeped further into his bones as his drenched clothes clung to his frame causing him to shiver. The sound of heavy boots approaching echoed through the chamber, signaling someone's arrival. They had moved the chair he was restrained in to face the opposite wall, so he could no longer see who entered or left when they opened the door.
Zuko strained against the restraints that held him firmly in place, his body bound to the unforgiving stone chair. His wrists and ankles felt like they were encased in iron, offering him no escape from his captivity. But it was not just the restraints that tormented him; it was the infernal contraption that encircled his head.
The device was a grotesque amalgamation of metal and leather, fastened tightly around his forehead, with an intricate network of straps and buckles that seemed designed to restrict his every movement. It clung to his face like a sinister mask, with a series of cold, unfeeling prongs that dug into his temples, preventing him from turning his head.
As he strained against the device, his muscles tensing with the effort, Zuko felt a sense of dread as General Fong's voice filled the small space.
"Well now, Prince Zuko" Fong's voice was laced with a hint of satisfaction. "I hope you have found your stay here with us accommodating."
Zuko's jaw clenched, as he met Fong's gaze with a defiant silence. He still refused to speak a word to these people. He focused his gaze on the wall ahead, resolving to not even look at the general.
"I hope these past few days have given you time to reconsider your resolve." Fong continued as he began to circle Zuko. "We have questions, and you have answers. It is in your best interest to cooperate." He finished planting himself in Zuko's direct line of vision.
Zuko's eyes flickered with a mix of defiance and determination.
Fong's patience seemed to wear thin as he leaned in closer, his voice lowering to a dangerous, almost threatening tone. "You may think you can endure this indefinitely, but I assure you, there are limits to your ability to resist. And there are consequences for your defiance."
Zuko's gaze locked on Fong's, his will unyielding. The interrogation cell was a battleground of wills, a contest of determination between captor and captive, and as the cold, damp air hung heavy around them, the contest of determination between captor and captive.
General Fong straightened, continuing to hold Zuko's unyielding stare. "Has our guest eaten today?" He asked.
Zuko's response was determined silence. But his body betrayed him and his stomach grumbled a moment after a soldier's response of 'no' sounded from behind him.
General Fong's lips curled into a triumphant smirk, a subtle acknowledgment of his perceived advantage. The interrogation chamber seemed to resonate with a newfound tension as if the balance of power had momentarily shifted, revealing the vulnerability of the captive in the face of relentless tactics.
"I believe it is time we upped the ante." General Fong's voice held an edge of cold determination as he continued to lock eyes with Zuko. "No food or water, until the exiled prince decides to grace us with the sound of his voice to answer our questions."
His words, like a chilling decree, sliced through the stagnant air of the interrogation chamber. General Fong walked back to the exit, stopping, he added. "The Avatar does not want the prisoner harmed. A refreshing bath every day should keep him… clean."
With that, General Fong exited the chamber, leaving Zuko alone with the chilling silence, the weight of his defiance bearing down upon him. The unyielding pressure of his captors and the relentless hunger gnawing at his resolve left him questioning how much longer he could endure silence.
Under Fong's relentless guidance, the days seemed to blur into a never-ending cycle of practice and frustration. Aang's brow glistened with sweat as he attempted each technique, his every movement marked by a mix of concentration and anticipation. Yet, despite their collective efforts, the Avatar state remained elusive, like a wisp of smoke slipping through their fingers.
Sokka's shoulder slumped with the weight of disappointment, his brow furrowed as he watched Aang's attempts. Usually, the beacon of comic relief in stressful situations, he had grown unusually serious in the last couple of days.
Katara's gaze shifted from Aang to Fong, her voice tinged with frustration. "General Fong, it has been five days and you have not made any progress. Maybe we should reconsider this approach."
Fong's expression remained stoic; his resolve unbroken. "We cannot afford to give up now. Aang's power is the key to ending this war."
"But this is not the way." Katara countered. "Like the Avatars before him, he needs to learn to bend the four elements as they did."
Fong's gaze was unwavering, his voice firm. "We must continue. There is too much at stake."
Turning from the general Katara appealed to Aang. "Come on, let's take a break."
"No Katara, I have to do this," Aang stated, his brow furrowed with determination.
"Well, I can't stand here and watch you continue this," Katara announced and walked away.
Aang's eyes followed Katara as she walked away, her departure leaving a lingering sense of unease. Exhaustion weighed heavily on him like an anchor dragging him down. The past few days had been an unrelenting test of his physical and mental endurance.
They had explored every avenue, from herbal remedies to holding items belonging to past Avatars. Medication practices had yielded no breakthroughs, leaving Aang's spirit restless and yearning for a connection that remained elusive. The training had become increasingly intense, transitioning from spiritual exercises to battle practices, yet still, the Avatar State remained beyond his reach.
The frustration gnawed at him, a relentless presence that left him questioning his abilities and his destiny. He had never felt so powerless, so disconnected from the vast reservoir of power that was his birthright. As he watched Katara's retreating figure, the weight of the world's expectations pressed down on his shoulders, and he could not help but wonder if he was truly ready for the challenges that lay ahead.
Shaking his head, he turned his attention back to the soldiers before him and sank back down into his stance, ready to begin the training again.
