Author's Note:Okay, I want to spoil you all. I have a decent amount of views etc and a lot of the story written that I kind of want to post a bunch of what is ready for your hungry reading! My update schedule will be rather frequent, ie a matter of days. This is my hope, my next hope is that you guys enjoy my story and I haven't wasted over 150k words :P
~Start Chapter 2~
I finished my second bowl of soup when Zuko, as I had learned his name was, stalked through the doors and into the galley. I had managed to get to know his Uncle, Iroh, a little bit more. I found him to be a lot calmer and wiser than I had initially assumed. Which of course helped soothe my unease.
"You gave her a job?!" He accused, rushing towards Iroh.
"Yes, she wasn't half bad with a sword, and she's a firebender. You could use the help, and she could use a place to stay, we wouldn't even need to pay her." Iroh explained.
"Wait, what?" I spoke up, I mean, I didn't really care. I wasn't here to spend money.
But still.
"Cost is not the point, we have no idea who she is!" Zuko thrust his hand out towards me and I almost felt offended.
"Yes we do, her name is Mira, she's a firebender, an orphan, and she works for us!" Iroh cheekily replied.
"She does NOT work for us!" Zuko shouted, slapping his hands against the table.
"Guys, I am still awkwardly sitting here, eating my soup..." I spoke up as Zuko turned to glower at me. "Ok, shutting up now."
"Zuko, you have a duty to your people. She is from the Fire Nation no matter how you look at it, she is without a home and family. She can fight, and we could use the help. These are times of war after all, it isn't uncommon." Iroh suddenly became firm and Zuko seemed to shrink back.
"Fine, she can stay, but she better not mess anything up." He spat in my direction, before turning on his heel and taking off.
"I am sorry about that, he doesn't deal with change well. Come, let me show you to your room. Normally the crew sleeps in the crew quarters together, but we don't have any women on board so we turned the women's quarters into additional men's quarters, however, we do have a guest room. You may use it while you work aboard this ship." Iroh spoke as he led me down below deck.
We passed a few rooms, before turning a corner. He led me to the door of the first room on my left and opened it with a small key. He palmed the key to me, as he swung it open.
"It's nothing big or grandiose, but at least you'll have privacy." Iroh spoke warmly as I entered the room.
It was indeed small, and simple in decoration. There was a Fire Nation symbol on the wall, a small bed tucked into the far right corner of the room, a small dresser on the left wall, and a tiny fireplace tucked on the right side of the room.
"I like it, thank you." I spoke, walking in and sitting on the bed.
"I will have some military clothing brought down to you. It may be a little bit big, as it's whatever spares we can find, but you can always wear a belt." Iroh shut the door behind him as he left, a smile rooted in place.
~Break~
I was startled from my nap by hurried knocking on the door.
"What the fuck?" I grumbled, getting out of bed and stumbling towards the door. Wrenching it open I was greeted by a tall soldier.
"Here, get dressed and get on deck. Prince Zuko is calling everyone up there now." He spoke as he tossed the clothing at me and quickly hurried off.
I couldn't tell if that was rude, or just him being busy.
I quickly changed and found that the shirt didn't fit too badly, but the pants had to be pretty high waisted to avoid the legs from dragging. All in all the cut wasn't half bad. I placed the armor on clumsily, noticing it seemed a touch large for my narrower frame and slipped slightly off my left shoulder.
"Well, at least it mostly fits." I laughed as I left the room and headed up on deck.
When I moved towards the rest of the men, Iroh grabbed my wrist and pulled me aside.
"Here, you'll need a sword. I will teach you firebending alongside my nephew, and he will help you with your swordsmanship. For now, try not to engage in battle, but this is just in case." I took the sword and scabbard from him, attaching it to my belt, before I moved to stand with the rest of the soldiers.
"It has been many years since we were banished from the Fire Nation, many people did not believe we could do it, that we could really find the Avatar and return home. But today we have found him. He's been seeking refuge in the Southern Water Tribe. We will lay siege to their camp, and capture the Avatar!" Zuko shouted as the many soldiers cheered out.
"What?" I gasped, trying to fathom how anyone could be excited about this.
"My nephew, and everyone else on this ship, have been away from home and their families for a long time. An end to that in sight means a lot." Iroh whispered as he grasped my shoulder.
"I never thought about it like that..." I whispered back, head hanging in shame.
"Do not worry my child, you did not know, but now you do." It was so easy talking to him and I couldn't help but feel bad that eventually I would be parting ways with him.
I had to be, in order to have Aang teach me the other elements...
"We will storm their coast, we will show no mercy, and we will take the Avatar!" Zuko finished, more cheers erupting around me.
'What have I gotten myself into?' I thought to myself as I swore I heard Avatar Aang laugh behind me.
~Break~
I was ordered to stay on the ship, but that didn't mean I was unable to see some of what was going on. I could see a small village hidden beneath the white blankets of snow. It was tiny, filled with many igloos and a snow-made tower that sloped to the side. The ice surrounding the village sparked beautifully, contrasting the ugly nature of our arrival.
Our ship hit the ice with such intensity it drove right through, cracking it in half almost an entire ship length into the frost. The steel of the ship groaned as the front let down a ramp almost hitting a boy wearing blue fur lined clothing. He flew backwards into the snow, almost losing his weapon as he hit with a resounding thud. Snow fell onto him as he scrambled to get to his feet, rage burning in his eyes.
His face was painted in soft greys and blues. He had lined his narrowed eyes with charcoal, I could see parts of it slipping from the wet snow dripping off his face. His eyes were dark and filled with anger as we approached, he pivoted his back leg and stood his ground.
The village was mostly filled with the elderly, women, and children. I shook my head, I didn't feel comfortable with what was happening. These people weren't a threat, it didn't warrant this much force. Zuko walked down with several soldiers, his usual glare set into his face as he stared down the entire village. Sokka darted towards him, springing off his back foot and lunging towards Zuko. He kicked the boy in blue away as if he were nothing more than an annoying gnat, never breaking his stride.
He reached the villagers and began to pace back and forth between them, inspecting each of them closely. He peered mostly at the elderly, taking care to inspect their heads and faces. They all remained stone still, ignoring him and I felt a sinister feeling of guilt slip up my spine.
"Where are you hiding him?" He ordered, his foot stamping for effect. He was met by silence once again. "He'd be about this age, master of all elements?"
Zuko in his impatience then pulled an elderly woman towards him, holding her against his chest, arm across her throat. He squeezed slightly and I heard her let out a soft wheeze. Her eyes darted fearfully between Zuko and the other villagers who had made a movement to follow her. Her eyes screamed for them all to stay silent, stay where they were. Her eyes closed as Zuko continued to pin her people with a hard stare.
When he was met with more silence he tossed the old woman aside, raising his fist and moving outwards from his chest with a large exhale. Fire shot out with little control, whipping above the villagers heads. They all shrieked and recoiled, it took all I had to not rush in and stop him.
"I know you're hiding him!" Zuko shouted out, enraged.
The boy in blue dived at him in a once more futile attempt. Zuko let out another stream of fire as the boy halted his movement and moved his arm backwards, tossing what looked like a boomerang. One of the children shouted for the boy in blue, and threw him a spear, which he caught before charging at Zuko once more.
Zuko caught the spear in the middle of the shaft with his hand and flipped the weapon out of the boy's grip. Twisting it around he broke it in half and hit the boy in the head several times before he fell onto the snow. The boomerang from before came back around though, smashing into Zuko's head causing me to catch my laughter in my throat.
I started to laugh uncontrollably though, when a young bald boy with a blue arrow on his head slid through Zuko's legs, taking him head over heels, before hopping off and greeting the boy in blue and a young girl.
"Hey Katara, hey Sokka!" The boy who was obviously Aang sang.
Zuko readied himself, advancing towards Aang, his hands out. Aang turned towards him, his staff held in his right hand, a small flourish going unmissed by me.
"You looking for me?" Aang asked, suddenly looking a bit older.
"Hi...Aang. Thanks for comin'." Sokka spoke dryly.
"You're an airbender, you're the Avatar?" Zuko sounded incredulous, as if he couldn't believe a mere boy had evaded him all these years.
If only he knew.
"Aang?" The girl I assumed was Katara gasped, covering her mouth with her hands.
"No way." Sokka gaped.
"I've spent years preparing for this encounter. Training. Meditating. You're just a child!" Zuko sneered as he dusted the snow off his armor and got ready to fight.
"Well, you're just a teenager!" Aang countered.
Zuko twisted himself as he extended another fist, the fire shooting out at Aang who raised his staff spun it away. Zuko continued to send blast after blast after the poor boy. Each time it dissipated before it reached him, Aang using his airbending to his advantage. The fire came close to a few of the villagers, who screamed and flinched away as the heat grazed them. Aang, noticing this, suddenly stopped and looked around at the village that was slowly being destroyed by their fight.
"If I go with you, do you promise to leave everyone alone?" Aang asked, desperate to stop the fighting.
Zuko thought for a moment, before giving a small nod as he straightened up. His fists were still tightly clenched, steam coming slowly out of his nose. He motioned for a couple of his men who rushed forward and towards Aang.
"No, Aang! Don't do this!" The girl shouted as the two soldiers grabbed Aang's arms and escorted him up the ramp and onto Zuko's ship.
"Don't worry Katara, it'll be okay, take care of Appa for me until I get back!" Aang spoke jovially as he was shoved roughly onto the ship.
"Head a course for the Fire Nation, I'm going home." Zuko ordered, turning away from the village.
The ship's front end pulled up once more as the ship reversed, pulling from the ice. I could hear the crunching as we left the village in disarray.
~Break~
"This staff will make a good gift for my father. I suppose you wouldn't know of fathers, being raised by monks. Take the Avatar to the prison hold. And take this to my quarters." Zuko spoke as he ordered the soldiers to take the Avatar away, shoving Aang's staff into Iroh's hands.
They both retreated onto the living quarters deck, the door closing with a small thud. I shook my head unable to believe how rude Zuko could be to the only man that seemed to give a shit about him. I turned back to the ocean intent to stare at it's soothing waves, before I was interrupted by a loud noise.
I heard another thud and saw Aang rush past me on the deck, towards the living quarters. I let out a huge laugh as the guards let out the warning that he had escaped. It didn't take Aang long to get away at all.
"The Avatar has escaped!"
I rushed after him, passing three stunned guards along the way. I was laughing like a complete child when I found Aang slowly closing Iroh's door. This felt right, Aang escaping. It felt like the universe was somehow righting itself. It made my lack of action feel less shameful.
So I smiled,and followed Aang before realizing how absolutely silly it was, I wasn't his friend, I was technically an enemy. This Aang didn't know me yet.
"Oh, uh...hello?" Aang spoke as he finally noticed me. His hands moved to what seemed like a passive stance, but I knew better after watching him fight Zuko.
"Hi." I blinked, It was weird seeing him so young. I expected him to be...bigger.
"Are you going to try and stop me too?" He asked, eyeing my Fire Nation armor.
"No, I'm not really supposed to engage in a fight if I have a choice." I grinned, once more being honest and following Iroh's instructions quite literally.
"Maybe I'll see you around then." He smiled as he took off down the hall towards Zuko's room.
"Oh, by the way, his room is the first on the right!" I shouted after Aang as he turned down the corridor.
~Break~
I was sitting in my room trying to mediate like Aang had taught me, when the boat rocked so hard I flew off my bed and onto a heap on the floor.
"Oww..." I groaned as I rubbed my head. I quickly left my room, being rocked into the opposite wall along the way, and moved towards the deck.
As I exited the door I noticed severe damage to the boat's front end, as it was almost crushed and coated with ice.
"Well shit." I spoke as Zuko let out a scream of fire.
"Well, now is as good a time as any to start your training. We shall first learn how to make fire in your hands, and once you have that down, you'll practice by helping melt this ice." Iroh spoke as he pulled me away from the fuming prince.
"Sure." I sighed as he began to instruct me on focusing my energy into the center of my hand, envisioning fire as it means to me.
So I did, and sure enough like my breath of fire, a small warmth appeared in my hands easily. Huh, I really must have been born a firebender then.
"Good job, now focus on maintaining it a bit stronger than you are now, and start melting the ice.
~Break~
I had been working on melting the ice for an hour now and my arms felt like red hot lead. I wanted to cry and I wondered how the other firebenders on the ship were able to go so long and so easily.
I moved away, rubbing my bare arms and took a seat beside my discarded armor.
"Not bad, I expected you to quit way sooner, most people can't handle more than twenty minutes their first time firebending." Iroh laughed as he slapped me on the back.
"Wait, I did it for over an hour for nothing?" I whined as I laid my overheated arms against the remaining ice.
"Not nothing, you'll never get better if you don't continue to challenge yourself. You did a good job, go rest and I will take over for you." Iroh gently ordered as he grasped my shoulder and steered me away from the ice.
"Sure." I spoke as I stifled a yawn. Maybe a nap wouldn't hurt.
~Break~
I awoke again, in the same field as before, and sighed out a puff of air causing my hair to bounce away from my face.
"Do I even really sleep when I'm having these pow wows with you?" I asked as Aang appeared before me,
"I'm not actually sure, I always had them while awake." Aang shrugged at me as he smiled.
"Well, what now oh captain my captain?" I asked.
"Now, you train and stay with Zuko." Aang answered.
"That's not very helpful..." I grumbled.
"It's not meant to be, you need to make your own decisions from here on out. I'm here because I forgot to tell you one important thing." Aang smiled sagely.
"What?" I grumbled, looking down at the flowers.
"For now you can focus on training, but soon you'll start running into Sader and his men, be careful and remember that they don't know you're alive, but they know you are the Avatar. Avoid anyone you suspect to be a member of his organization. Most won't even know who you are, or what you look like, but it's not worth the risk." He was deathly serious now and all I could do was nod.
"Anything else?" I asked.
My answer was being spirited away from my dream to be awoken by knocks on my door. Rushing out of bed I stumbled towards the door tugging on my pants.
My hand reached out and pulled open the door to find Iroh standing there, smiling kind and warm.
"Hello my dear, I am sorry to say we're going to need you to come ashore with us. We have to dock the ship for repairs and I could use the help keeping an eye on Zuko." His smile continued and I gave him a suspicious look.
"You want me to go ashore with you, to help keep an eye on your nephew, the exiled crowned prince of the Fire Nation." I quirked my head, unable to avoid the deadpan in my tone. Why the heck would he want ME to help him over, say, a trained firebender.
"Yes, he doesn't get along with a Captain here, Zhao, and I worry about leaving you alone without us on the ship." Iroh admitted as I let out a small frown.
"Fine, I'll tag along..." I grumbled, but he was probably right. What was it Aang told me to do again? Stick with Zuko?
Aang better not be walking me into a death trap.
~Break~
I had a bit of trouble getting into my armor and ended up having to have one of the soldier's help me buckle the back. The armor didn't quite sit right, slipping off my shoulders a bit as I walked.
"God damn it!" I hissed under my breath as it slipped once again, chafing my skin.
"Are you okay?" Iroh asked as Zuko walked faster towards the landing ramp.
"I'm fine, it's just that this armor doesn't quite fit..." I sighed as I righted it and continued to follow after Zuko.
"I was worried about that, we even gave you some of Zuko's old armor in hopes it would fit..." Iroh mused as he stroked his beard. "I guess we'll just have to pick you up some that properly fits."
"I doubt his highness would even bother..." I snorted, trying to ignore the embarrassment that I was wearing the equivalent of his smaller hand-me-downs.
After all, he had been banished from home since he was a kid, for some reason no one would talk about.
The first thing I noticed as we exited the ship was how industrial everything looked. Tents lined along buildings, multiple ships that were docked, and soldiers milling about. It was a lot more futuristic than I had first assumed this world to be.
I gaped as I looked around, not quite used to seeing something so industrial and busy. I had spent my entire time in this time on a metal boat in the South Pole. In some ways it was comforting, familiar even, minus the amount of soldiers and weapons that is. Well, comforting for my situation anyways. It was at least mostly safe, considering Sadar and his men had little change of seeing me while I was on the ship.
I trailed behind Iroh and Zuko as we passed through the throng of ships, trying not to appear too interested and surprised by what I was seeing.
"Uncle, I want the repairs done as soon as possible, I don't want to stay too long and risk losing his trail." Zuko ordered as he stalked at the front of our group.
"You mean the Avatar?" Iroh inquired innocently, causing Zuko to round back on him.
"Don't mention his name on these docks," He spoke hurriedly, his hand clenched into a fist. "Once word gets out that he's alive, every firebender will be out looking for him, and I don't want anyone getting in the way."
"Getting in the way of what, Prince Zuko?" A man spoke with creepy interest.
I looked forward and saw an older man, much taller than Zuko and I, walking towards us with his hands behind his back. His tone was almost accusatory and I took a step back behind Iroh. He was dressed similar to Iroh and Zuko, so he must have been important. He also wore his hair in a topknot, allowing his sideburns to grow out alongside his no doubt long hair. His eyes were brown and sunken into his head. He was older, but not as old as Iroh that much was clear. He looked to be in his forties.
"Captain Zhao." Zuko greeted, crossing his arms as Zhao stopped and stood before him.
"It's Commander now," Zhao corrected, "and General Iroh, great hero of our nation."
"Retired General." Iroh bowed.
"The Fire Lord's brother and son are welcome guests here anytime, as well as your...guest." His eyes flitted towards me and I swallowed hoping he didn't catch my flinch. "What brings you to my harbor?"
"Our ship is being repaired." Iroh explained as we all turned to look at the gutted front end of our ship.
"That's quite a bit of damage." Zhao assessed, almost curious.
"Yes. You wouldn't believe what happened." Zuko started to explain as he shifted awkwardly and looked towards Iroh and motioned towards Zhao. "Uncle, tell Commander Zhao what happened."
"Yes, I will do that." Iroh followed suit. "It was incredible. What, did we crash into something?" Iroh asked Zuko.
"We could totally steal the story from The Titanic, say we crashed into an iceberg." I whispered, causing Zuko to give me a warning look.
"Yes, right into an Earth Kingdom ship." Zuko added louder this time.
"Oh yes, cause that makes more sense than an iceberg..." I muttered under my breath.
"Really?" Zhao asked, not at all sounding convinced; you and me both buddy. "You must regale me with all the thrilling details. Join me for a drink?"
"Sorry, but we have to go." Zuko answered for us sharply.
"Prince Zuko, show Commander Zhao your respect." Iroh grabbed Zuko's shoulder as he turned away. "We would be honoured to join you. Do you have any ginseng tea? It's my favourite."
Iroh accepted for the three of us as he led the way towards wherever General Zhao had invited us too. Zuko let out a strangled snarl, fire shooting out of his fists, before turning on his heel to follow his uncle.
"Anger problems much?" I grumbled, following them like an afterthought.
~Break~
Commander Zhao let us into an office-like tent, very official, and we took our seats. Zhao moved towards a large map of what I assumed was the world and inspected it. I took a moment to see if I could find any similarities to the world I know, but found little. Iroh was inspecting some of the weapons sitting on a rack, as Zuko sat in his seat, holding his steaming tea as he kept his level eyes on Zhao.
I stared at it in mild boredom as he spoke, still trying to pick our familiar shapes in the continents. Did it change so much because of the benders? How long ago was this? Was the change natural or supernatural? Did one of my past selves change the continents? Could I?
My mind was a flurry of questions with zero answers. I wished more than anything that Aang was here to answer them.
"And by year's end, the Earth Kingdom capital will be under our rule. The Fire Lord will finally claim victory in this war." Zhao spoke with authority, turning to face us once more.
I blinked returning to the conversation at hand, realizing the importance of it. Perhaps I should be paying attention, this was probably something I needed to know. You know, if I ever found it in myself to actually help.
"If my father thinks the rest of the world will follow him willingly, then he is a fool." Zuko spoke with conviction as Zhao took his seat to Zuko's left.
My head whipped to look at Zuko, my face twisted in surprise. I was honestly astounded by his comment. It was hardly something I expected from the hot-headed egotistical Prince I had been traveling with. He disagreed with his father huh? Most of his actions and attitude up until now suggested he agreed with the Fire Lord.
"Two years at sea have done little to temper your tongue. So, how is your search for the Avatar going?" Zhao asked with a grin that grew his lips so thin you could hardly see them.
Iroh turned sharply at that, knocking the weapons from their stand and we all turned to look at him. I sighed and hung my head at his lack of subtlety as Zuko just glared.
"Er, my fault entirely. " Iroh laughed before slowly edging away.
"We haven't found him yet." Zuko answered, still glaring at his uncle.
"Did you really expect to?" Zhao mocked, "The Avatar died a hundred years ago, along with the rest of the airbenders."
At that comment Zuko and I looked away. Probably for entirely different reasons, but I couldn't help but want to smack Zhao in the face. Zuko clenched his fists tightly as he tried to control his breathing.
Zuko had definitely found the Avatar in more ways than one.
"Unless..." Zhao spoke, slowly circling Zuko. "You found some evidence that the Avatar is alive?"
"No. Nothing." Zuko answered, his clenched fists finally releasing as he looked away.
"Prince Zuko, the Avatar is the only one who can stop the Fire Nation from winning this war. If you have an ounce of loyalty left, you'll tell me what you've found." Zhao was leaning in close to Zuko now, and it was then I knew he had seen right through us.
I felt a chill go up my spine as I realized how much danger I was actually in.
"Relax, it's impossible for any of them to suspect you right now. First of all, you're a firebender, second of all, they are all looking for either an airbender boy or an airbender old man." I heard Aang speak from behind me.
I jumped slightly and Iroh gave me a funny look, before moving back to looking at the art on the wall.
"Easy for you to say, you're already dead..." I grumbled under my breath.
"I haven't found anything." Zuko answered evenly, his fists clenching white knuckled. "It's like you said, the Avatar probably died a long time ago. Come on Uncle, Mira, we're going."
I quickly scrambled to my feet to follow Zuko's orders, but was quickly stopped by a group of soldiers who stood, blocking the entrance to the tent.
"Commander Zhao, we interrogated the crew as you instructed." One spoke as he moved to stand by Zhao. "They confirmed Prince Zuko had the Avatar in custody but let him escape."
"Whoops." I spoke as Zuko shot me a glare.
"Now remind me, how exactly was your ship damaged?" Zhao asked once again as he moved to stand behind Zuko, putting a hand on my shoulder and keeping me still.
"Well, this doesn't look good." Aang spoke as I shifted my gaze to look at him.
If I was able to respond, I would have.
~Break~
"So, a twelve-year-old boy bested you and your firebenders," Zhao paraphrased as he paced in front of us. "You're more pathetic than I thought."
"I underestimated him once, but it will not happen again." Zuko defended, his hands clenching the armrests of his chair tightly.
"No, it will not, because you won't have a second chance." Zhao said.
"Commander Zhao, I've been hunting the Avatar for four years and I-"
"And you failed!" Zhao interrupted as he shot fire out towards us. "Capturing the Avatar is too important to leave in a teenager's hands. He's mine now."
Zuko shot out at him with a yell, leaping from his chair before two of the guards restrained him.
"Keep them here." Zhao commanded as he walked away.
Zuko kicked a table causing it to break apart and clatter to the ground in splinters. I flinched slightly at the sound and stared at the carpet threads instead. I began to count them as Zuko snarled and let out a steam of fire from his mouth.
Talk about being up shitcreek without a paddle.
"More tea, please." Iroh asked, holding up his empty cup.
How could that old man stay so calm?
~Break~
Zhao left us in the tent for an undetermined amount of time, before returning and wasting no time in speaking to us once again. Well, it wasn't so much speaking as it was mocking and accusatory.
"My search party is ready. Once I'm out to sea, my guards will escort you back to your ship, and you'll be free to go." Zhoa explained as he stepped back into the tent.
"Why? Are you worried I'm going to try and stop you?" Zuko asked, positively seething.
Zhao started laughing a full below laugh at that.
"You? Stop me? Impossible." His eyes narrowed.
"Don't underestimate me, Zhao, I will capture the Avatar before you!" Zuko shouted, standing from his chair.
"Do you really think it's a good idea to antagonize the guy holding us here?" I hissed at their loud display.
"Me? Antagonizing him?" Zuko rounded on me causing me to sink back into my seat.
"Prince Zuko, Mira, that's enough!" Iroh commanded, moving to stand between us.
"You can't compete with me," Zhao laughed once more, "I have hundreds of warships under my command, and you...you're just a banished prince. No home, no allies, your own father doesn't even want you."
Zhao flourished towards a positively seething Zuko as I let out a groan; this was only going to escalate from here.
"You're wrong!" Zuko shouted, again. "Once I deliver the Avatar to my father, he will welcome me home with honor, and restore my rightful place on the throne."
"And technically he has us." I motioned towards Iroh and myself as Zhao laughed at me, again.
"You? You're the hired help, and Zuko, if your father really wanted you home, he would have let you return by now, Avatar or no Avatar." Zhao shot back, cold as ice.
"Ok, first of all, oww..." I muttered to myself as Iroh's gaze turned steely.
"But in his eyes, you are a failure and a disgrace to the Fire Nation." Zhao finished his last punch hard.
"That's not true." Zuko spoke quieter now.
"You have the scar to prove it." Zhao smirked as he crossed his arms.
Scar? His banishment has something to do with his scar? I didn't have long to dwell on that thought, however, as Zuko began to shout again.
"Maybe you'd like one to match." He threatened as he got in Zhao's face, rising to his bait.
"Oh this can only end well." I sighed as Iroh gave me another warning look.
"Is that a challenge?" Zhao shot back.
"An Agni Kai, at sunset." Zuko challenged.
"Ooo, sounds official." I glowered, annoyed I spent my entire day watching two men bicker.
"Very well." Zhao agreed, taking a step back. "It's a shame your father won't be here to watch me humiliate you. I guess your uncle and guest will have to do."
Zhao turned and walked away leaving me confused as Iroh spoke with warning.
"Prince Zuko, have you forgotten what happened last time you dueled a master?"
"I will never forget." Zuko spoke darkly.
"Wait, what? A duel? I thought this was an Agni-whatever," I rushed out my question as the two of them gave me a funny look. "I mean, judging by the macho talk I assumed it was something like that but..."
"An Agni-Kai is more than a mere duel, it's an honour-bound fight." Zuko spat out at me.
"You guys were the ones who referred to it as a duel..." I grumbled.
"Prince Zuko, where are your manners? Mira is our guest who is with us to learn, so have patience." Iroh spoke, putting a calming hand on my shoulder.
"Yes, firebending and swordplay, not rules of court and basic Fire Nation knowledge." Zuko hissed before leaving the room and slamming the door.
"I mean, he's not wrong." I offered, motioning to the now closed door.
"No my dear, you're both wrong if you think that's all you're here to learn." Iroh answered in his usual riddle form. He squeezed my shoulder once more, before moving towards the door himself.
~Break~
Iroh led us into a dirt-floor training ring surrounded by tall walls with a large arched entrance. I was busy looking around at everything as Iroh was giving Zuko a pep talk. Zuko had changed during the time Iroh explained a little bit more about the Agni-Kai. Zuko was now wearing dual-toned red harem pants with red armbands around his biceps, hair still up in its ponytail. It seemed to be an Agni-Kai thing as Zhao's dress mirrored his.
I noticed Zhao was kneeling at the other end of the ring facing away from us, a few soldiers standing behind him. He was most likely readying himself much the same as we were, draped with the same Fire Nation shawl Zuko had.
"Remember your firebending basics, Prince Zuko. They are your greatest weapons." Iroh advised.
"I refuse to let him win." Zuko spoke from the position he was kneeling in.
It was clear at this point that this wasn't some sort of meet-me-after-school fight.
Zuko stood and the red fabric draping his shoulders fell away as he turned to face Zhao.
"Break a leg." I shrugged, unsure of what to really say.
"You want him to break a leg?" Iroh asked, perplexed.
"What? No! It just means goodluck where I'm from..." I grumbled as I crossed my arms over my uncomfortable armour, which was starting to chauf under my right armpit. Why only the right I had no clue, such discomforts rarely matched.
"I don't need luck." Zuko rebuked and I snorted.
"Sure, whatever you say." I waved off kind of hoping he would lose now.
"This will be over quickly." Zhao mocked in his usual obnoxious fashion.
Could both fighters lose in an Agni-Kai?
The small amount of soldiers had grown since I last looked and were watching us from Zhao's side, another stood high atop the walls in front of a gong. It felt kind of gladiator-esque, if I had to compare it to something. The soldier at the top of the wall swung a baton back striking the large gong behind him.
Guess the games have begun then.
They both stood across from each other, left hands stretched out front, right covering the low line. It was actually kind of fascinating how transferable different martial arts were, then again, we all had the same parts to protect.
Zuko moved first and I snorted; how very him. He moved his left arm from his high line to his low line in one fluid movement, crossing his right as fire started to appear. He thrust his left fist out, bursting forth the fire that had collected from his previous movement.
"Wow." I gaped.
"Wow indeed." Iroh chuckled.
Zhao sidestepped the fire shot his way, dodging a second shot as Zuko sidestepped, mirroring his movements. Zuko's footwork was different from anything I had ever seen, his stance at times even crossing but maintaining his centre. My eyes moved fast and greedily, trying to soak up his movements.
I saw a grin on Zhao's face as he blocked an incoming blast, skidding back a small amount. He broke through the flames, breathing somewhat heavily as Zuko let up his attack, breathing slightly harder.
Both were sweating at this point and I wondered if bending the other elements felt that way too. I figured water must feel cold, but what the hell would earth feel like? I stared at a rock in concentration before remembering that I actually could end up accidentally earthbending, so perhaps thinking about what it would feel like was a terrible idea.
Though, I could try to do it alone in my room...
Also probably a bad idea.
I missed the next part of the fight and glanced back to see fire shooting from what I assumed was a kick from Zuko. Zhao blocked that as well before breaking through and sending a shot back deflecting more fire. Zuko spun into the air avoiding the deflected blasts and twisted sending out another kick.
Zhao pressed his arms back summoning forth what appeared to be blades of fire around his hands. He moved his hands along the right side of his body, slowly kneeling down and dragging the fire along the ground, keeping his hands parallel until they came before him. He clapped them together, sending a cone of fire at Zuko. He deflected it, but was panting from exertion. I could see the sweat pooling on his forehead and dripping down his angled face. He stepped back and I sucked in a deep breath.
Ok, I didn't actually want Zuko to lose. Aang had to have told me to stick with him for a reason.
"Basics, Zuko! Break his root" Iroh coached from the sidelines.
I glanced towards him and wished I could have his level of composure one day.
So, basically, break his stance. Guess fighting is fighting no matter what time you're in.
Whatever it was Iroh meant to get across, it worked. Zuko was holding his head higher now as he deflected the next blast of fire coming his way. He did the same two more times, losing less ground now with each blast.
Zhao was moving forward with a strong base, his movement was well trained and almost second nature as he took every inch gained.
Zuko grunted from the exertion of another onslaught of fire, before being knocked back by a large blast shot from Zhao's hands which were pressed together at the heels of his palms.
Kind of like a Kamehameha.
Zuko hit the ground hard and I just about sucked a breath in through my teeth in sympathy. Almost. I twisted the tongue ring around my mouth, closing my teeth around the bottom ball. He struggled to lift his head, groaning from the knock he took to his head. Zhao was on him like a panther, pouncing from above and slamming into the ground beside him with a shout. He took half a second to regard Zuko's prone form before thrusting out his right fist point blank at Zuko. Fire licked from around his fist burning angrily as it rushed towards Zuko.
Zuko took a moment before taking advantage of Zhao's much larger movement, and spun around kicking his legs out, countering Zhao's fire with a shout. His second leg kicked up and he knocked Zhao off his balance, his stance finally broken, and I felt myself let out a hoot of victory for Zuko.
On his feet now he looked anything but smug, which surprised me if we are being honest. He seemed almost careful now, a far cry from the arrogant prince I had been getting to know. He looked more like the trained warrior he was, and less like the spoiled brat he acted like.
But then, he grinned, and his foot side kicked out and shot a stream of fire towards Zhao and the arrogant prince was back. Zhao was now clambouring backwards to avoid the fire, Zuko steadily gaining ground. With a few final well placed high kicks, Zuko had knocked Zhao rolling to the ground, quite literally, he was rolling now.
Zuko took the offensive position and towered over him, fists aimed close towards his body. Zhao leaned up and I gave Iroh a glance.
"So...does this mean Zuko won?" I asked.
"Wait." Iroh answered.
"Do it!" Zhao shouted after crawling back a few more paces.
Zuko obliged, albeit probably not in the way Zhao and I were imagining. A scorch mark burned angrily to the left of Zhao's seething head.
"That's it? Your father raised a coward." Zhao snarled.
"What? Does he want to die or something?" I muttered, confused and annoyed at the headache all of this was bringing on.
"Next time you get in my way, I promise I won't hold back." Zuko warned, unnaturally calm.
With that Zuko turned to walk towards us and I looked at Iroh expectantly.
"Did he win now?" I kind of whined, hoping it was over.
Iroh didn't have a chance to answer as Zhao had stood up and shot a blast of fire at Zuko's turned back.
Iroh moved quicker than anything I had ever seen and blocked Zhao's incoming attack, surprising even Zuko. Iroh sent him flying backwards and Zhao landed with an ugly thud, the wind knocked out of him. Zuko snarled and tried to go after him, but Iroh held him back.
"No Prince Zuko! Do not taint your victory," Iroh calmed him. "So this is how the great Commander Zhao acts in defeat? Disgraceful. Even in exile my nephew is more honorable than you. Thanks again for the tea. It was delicious."
Zuko was looking at his uncle now with a look I hadn't ever really seen on him before, he looked...equal parts surprised and grateful.
We left the arena leaving Zhao sitting on his kicked behind. I followed up just behind the pair of them before finally breaking the silence.
"I'm guessing you won now?" I blurted out causing both of them to stop and give me a funny look.
Iroh began to laugh, breaking the awkward tension and I started to laugh as well.
"Yes, my nephew did indeed win."
We continued on for a few more minutes before Zuko was next to break the silence.
"Did you really mean that, Uncle?" Zuko asked, almost whispering.
I assume so I couldn't hear him. Pfft, please, I'm the Avatar, an Avatar, future Avatar?
Ok it feels weird calling myself that when I can barely bend one element.
"Of course. I told you ginseng tea is my favourite." Iroh was smiling wide causing Zuko and I to join in.
"I still prefer earl grey though." I mused.
Zuko rolled his eyes and made some sort of annoyed sound before speeding up.
"Earl grey tea? I have never heard of this kind of tea before." Iroh almost looked like a child who was told Santa really did exist.
"Well, I mean, it's where I grew up. No idea if we can find it anywhere around here." I shrugged trying to avoid answering what the fuck earl grey tea was.
To be honest I had no idea really, other than it was a black tea with bergamot in it. Which was less than helpful.
"What a shame, I would really love to try it. What is it like?" He asked with interest.
I let out a small sigh and thought about it.
"Well...it's like a warm hug in a cup." I shrugged with an embarrassed blush.
I can't believe that's all I could think of when put on the spot. Doh!
"Sounds wonderful," Iroh sighed as he closed his eyes. "I do hope I get to try this 'warm hug in a cup' tea one day."
"Me too," I smiled, caught up in the mirth. "Me too."
~Chapter 2 End~