I don't own Avatar The Last Airbender
Chapter 14
*Knock* *Knock* *Knock*
"Argh…"
Zuko woke after a long slumber.
"What time is it?"
Another series of knocking was heard.
"I'm up! I'm up!"
"Nephew, are you alright? It's quite late in the morning."
"Yes uncle, sorry about that. I had a long day yesterday, that's all."
"Oh, it's alright, nephew. I know firsthand how boring and challenging meetings like that are. By the way, I seem to have misplaced my lotus tile again. Would you mind if we paid a visit to the new village? It was a long time since we last went together for a trip. Who knows, we may even find someone to play pai sho with~"
"Again uncle!"
"Remember, this is more likely than not a meeting with his informant from the white lotus. I for one, am very interested to see where this will go."
"Argh fine… let me get dressed first."
"Thank you, nephew."
After a few minutes, Zuko was dressed and opened the door. His uncle was waiting for him.
"Ah nephew, it's good to see you again. Must you take this dastardly helmet everywhere you go, and the armor as well?"
"It's iconic."
"It scares everyone away. Zuko, I will be frank, I worry about you."
"Everything is fine, uncle, let's go search for your stupid tile."
"Just so you know, he's hiding a lotus tile in his left sleeve. He obviously is creating an alibi to meet with the white lotus."
The two of them continue walking. Zuko noticed that people were indeed giving him looks and whispering among themselves, a glance in their direction made them go silent, however.
Xing followed them as well, barking through the process. More than a few people were more interested in the puppy, especially when it was extremely curious about everything. Xing was very popular among the children for some reason as well since they wouldn't stop bothering the animal, which quite liked the attention.
"I must say that I'm both surprised and pleased that you decided to keep it, I thought that you would be more focused on your mission and would just give it to someone else."
"What can I say, Xing grew on me. Besides, Xing is one of a kind."
"That is true, I never seen anything like him. By the way, how was your trip to Kyoshi? I heard many stories, Mi-Dved is a very expressive storyteller, but non from your mouth."
"Well…"
Zuko began to tell his own (much more grounded to reality) version. He told about the Unagi, their arrest and the conspiracy. He decided to keep everything with Suki to himself, both because he himself didn't want to talk about it as well as he didn't want to hear his uncle pestering him.
As they walked, he noticed a few people trying to listen to their conversation.
'How are there so many spies already?!'
"No spies yet, at least none that I noticed. They are simply curious about the prince."
Before long, they arrived at the inn of the place. There, they were greeted with a familiar face.
"Hello, what would you like to order?"
Zuko looked up from his sit, he saw the same woman from the inn they visited on their way to and from the swamp. It seems like she did take his offer after all.
"Hey… You're that woman from the inn, aren't you? Sorry I'm bad with names."
"It's fine, I didn't give it. I'm Chin, your highness. I thank you for everything that you have done for us."
"Oh… well, thanks. To be frank, I didn't expect you to actually listen. I figured most of you would try your luck elsewhere in the peripheral Gaoling."
The woman, Chin, sighed.
"That what most of them did. The few of us who listen to you were a small part, smaller the ones who were brave or desperate enough to take your deal."
"And which is she I wonder."
"How are you liking it so far? And please be honest between laying and disrespecting I consider the former the bigger offence."
"Oh, ar… well."
Chin sighed again before continuing.
"To be frank, we have much more than before. The inn is bigger, our meals are larger, and safety has become a non-existent issue. The workload is bigger, and the community feeling is all but destroyed, but this is a small price to pay. I expected much worse, once again I thank you for everything my lord."
"Very well. Anyway, I woke up late today, so I'll have breakfast on the menu. What will you have, uncle?"
"Hmm… I think I will have the fish dish with the mushroom salad. As well as Jasmine tea."
"Very well, coming right up, my lords."
The woman left to prepare the meals.
"I must confess, nephew, it was a very honorable thing you did, giving those refugees a home. I really am proud of you."
"Well, I couldn't just let them die. Besides, the more people who enjoy the light of the fire nation the better."
"Yes… anyway, tell me nephew, what are your plans now?"
Uncle asked in a curious tone.
"Oh?"
To be frank, Zuko didn't know. He hadn't thought so far.
'Sai? What are our plans?'
"Rest for now and read the texts Suki gave us. This is not the ideal place for farther discussion."
"For now I will just relax and read the books about Kyoshi Suki gave me, I'll tell you more once we are back in the ship."
"Seems fair enough. I suppose the bag that you carried with you contains the very same texts?"
Iroh pointed at the bag that Zuko carried with him the entire time.
"Yes."
They had some small talk together until their meals arrived. They quietly ate their meals and uncle "tried his luck finding his missing tile" with the other old men at the corner of the in.
Zuko decided to read the books Suki gifted him. He had Sai monitor everything his uncle did and alert Zuko in any case he would be needed.
As it was, Sai alerted Zuko when he was at the end of the first book he got, it detailed the years were Kyoshi wasn't yet known as the one true Avatar.
It seems like the right moves for a lotus greeting were exchanged. It was his uncle and…
'Wait, is in one of the people from the meeting?'
"Yes, Lao Sho if I'm no mistaken. One of the chief engineers of Loban and one that was exposed to protect SADARA. I believe it's time to interferer."
'That laying sniveling snake!'
Zuko went to the pair.
"Hello uncle! I see you found your lotus tile."
"Ah, prince Zuko! Finished your book already? I hope you had an enjoyable read."
"It was enlightening, yes. So, who is your friend?"
Zuko looked at the engineer who had sweat drops across his entire face.
"Why this fine fellow is Lao sho, you may have met him in the factory. He is one of the head engineers there after all."
"Y-your h-highness…"
"Oh yes, I remember now! Loban told me about you, he is quite pleased with your work."
"W-why thank you…"
"You also have three kids, right? Two girls, Misaka and Masuku and a boy named Mushi if I'm not mistaken. The first one is going to get married next summer, no?"
"I… yes…"
The traitorous engineer had trouble swallowing his own spit now.
"Why it's a wonderful thing! I'm very happy for you."
His uncle added.
"T-thank you…"
"It's not all, it seems like little Mushi is following his old man's footsteps. He's already building things with his toys, like his dad. How old was he again, four? Five?"
"F-four your highness…"
Loa Sho was stuttering at the piece of information that he knew was certainly not given by Loban.
"I see, have a nice game then! Don't let me stop you, just don't say something I wouldn't."
Zuko looked at Lao Sho as he said that. The message was clear.
"I-I think I feel a little under the weather… I t-think that it would be for the best if I retire…"
The scum said as he wished to return to whatever hole he lived in.
"Oh… Are you sure? Even for one game? I promise you that neither of us bites, you shouldn't be afraid of us."
"I-I really should be going."
Uncle was about to talk when Zuko put a hand on his shoulder.
"It's enough uncle, if the man says he should leave than let him leave. Besides, your health isn't what it used to be, wasn't it today when you said you needed a cup of tea to feel warm? I don't think we should risk it."
Iroh looked conflicted, but he didn't see a way out without looking suspicious. So in the end, he backed down.
"I suppose you're correct."
Uncle said sadly.
The engineer didn't need any more excuse to bolt out of there.
Uncle sighed as he turned to Zuko.
"I think you scared him nephew, I told you that your getup will scare people away. A shame, I really hoped to have a match with him."
"I'm sure you will find others uncle. Look at the bright side, at least you found the missing tile. I will go explore the island a little, it should give you enough peace for another game or two."
Mi-Dved and Jasmine sat on the beach and looked at the other people there. It was the same place where Mi-Dved was washed off and where the pirates found him.
It was ironic really, a place that not two months ago was a hive of scum and villainy is now a resting place for the people filled with laughter of kids.
"Sister, can we talk about it?"
"Hm? About what, dear brother?"
The older siblings looked at his younger sister.
"Don't play coy with me, all this business with Zuko."
"What are you talking about, brother of mine?"
"Be serious. You know exactly what you're doing, your left mouth corner is rising a little like any time you scheme. Usually I don't care, but I actually like the guy. Besides, he's a prince, you're playing with fire in more than one way."
Jasmine wiped her mouth with her left hand.
"Listen, is it really that wrong? I understand that you have your older brother's duties, or whatever, but I can date whoever I want. You even said right now that you like him, so what's the problem?"
"The problem is that I'm pretty sure you're after his crown more than his love, don't even deny it. Besides, he's a prince with a chance to rule the world, you and I are literally at the bottom of the barrel when it comes to social status."
"I know, the prince marry the peasant girl like in the stories. it's so romantic~"
Jasmine put both her hands on her heart.
"You completely ignored the first part."
Mi-Dved grumbled under his breath.
"Besides, you're worry too much brother. As long as I get his attention and the both of us are on his good graces, the both of us are set for life. Just look at all the gifts he gave me."
Jasmine flexed the expensive swimwear and other accessories the prince gave her from the factory.
"I remember more than a few men having done the same, you didn't act so positive then. Some of them were much more handsome than Zuko."
Jasmine shuddered a little as she remembered some of her past sutures.
"Please, that was different, and you know that. They all only saw me as a piece of meat or another feather to their hat, both of us know that they would have gotten rid of you as soon as posable and of me once they lost interest. That even ignoring the age gap most had."
"And what makes you think Zuko's different?"
Mi-Dved raised an eyebrow that Jasmine returned.
"You liked him."
"Point."
The earth bender concluded.
"Besides, he wanted you before he even knew I existed, brother, I think your place is safe in that regard. He also was annoyingly resilient to my advances, am I losing my charm?"
"Considering the constant peaking of the boys, no."
Mi Dved nodded at a group of teenagers some distance away from them. Many of them were indeed trying to catch glances at the pair, or more accurately at Jasmine.
At the earth bender's nod, they all suddenly found the sand below them very interesting.
"But what I don't understand is why no one had the stones to actually come here, usually there is at least one idiot that would ignore me."
Mi-Dved wondered.
"Hmm… Maybe it's because they saw us with the prince. They probably think that I am some kind of noble lady or that the prince has interest in me, therefore I'm off limits."
"Well, anyway, I'm happy with the results."
"Screw you too, brother. But I suppose it's good that I start from a position of power, unlike back there."
"Which brings us back to our original talk. We already have much more than we thought we'll have after our escape, I don't want to risk it by you making enemies in high places or worse, making Zuko possessive of you."
"Well, for the last part I wouldn't worry, even spoiled rotten he, unlike the others, has a strict sense of morals in that regard. Besides, he's a good person."
Jasmine nodded to the direction of Zuko with her head. He was now sitting cross-legged with Xing facing the sea, they could even hear him if they tried hard enough. It seems like he was trying to teach it to… fire bend?
"Okay Xing, look at this."
Zuko drew breath and released an immense torrent of fire, big enough for an ostrich-horse to stand inside it whole and remain unseen. Once Zuko finished after half a minute, they both followed the beam until they lost sight of it.
"Now it's you turn."
Xing mimicked his helmet less master, the helmet was at the right side of its master and drew a big breath. It then released a small cloud of smoke from its mouth as the breath out became a small cough.
"Good boy!"
Zuko hugged the animal and rubbed his head with its own.
Back to the siblings, they both found this scene adorable in a way.
"As for the first part, brother, fine. I admit that it could be dangerous, I will keep my teasing to a minimum."
"That's all I'm asking."
Zuko was at the factory, working with the materials there to make upgrades for his armor.
His man already got their upgrade the day before from the factory. Now they had lighter but stronger armor as well as a machination that shoots darts from their right hand and a hook from their left one.
The two new toys were two separate bracelets that Sai designed. Both work with springs and bolts to shoot their relative ammunition. The darted were finger sized and could be filled with poison, either deadly, hallucinating or paralyzing.
The hooks were more of a safety feature for travel, to stop a fall from a cliff or to climb one quickly. They also were, however, very good at spearing targets and bringing them back.
For now, it was only he and Sai. He asked the siblings to take Xing for a walk, something the both of them were happy with. His uncle still hadn't returned from his games, probably still thinking that this lotus member will arrive.
'Are you sure that guy wouldn't squeal?'
"Positive. He knows that he's on our radar, he wouldn't try to take the risk. He may be willing to risk his own life, but not that of his family. We showed him that there is no way he could save them in time, not even with the help of the order."
"But this brings us to another, very awkward, point. Why did your uncle of all people meet with him?"
'What do you mean?'
"The engineer is the one that gives, or at least he would have, information. It was clear from his expression that he was going to report about the happenings of the meeting, so why did he want to sell it to your uncle of all people?"
'What are you getting at?'
"Nothing, your highness, just food for thought. Anyway, focus your flame on the iridium wires here…"
In the end, they stayed there until it was dark. The upgrades Zuko implemented to his swords made it easier to channel chi into them, as well as make the swords much sharper and sturdier.
Sai also infused small pockets of enchanted silver so the swords could harm spirits as well. Sai admitted that it would only sting spirits of higher standing, but it was better than nothing.
Now they were once again inside Zuko's room. As the day before, Xing brought another unlucky animal. This one was some kind of a hybrid between a monkey and a mantis. The thing had a monkey's head, body, limbs and tail. It had, however, another pair of limbs on his shoulders as well as mantis wings on its back, the mouth opened in a very insectoid way as well.
It was obviously a predator, one that was also slightly bigger than Xing himself. It looked like Xing had a fight for that one, a fight the hellhound emerged victorious from.
When he met the trio after he got to the ship, he was about to interrogate the siblings about what in Agni's name happened. But they were so dirty and tired that he let it slide and ordered them to bathe, Xing was after all only a dirty with some minor scratches that mostly healed.
Just what happened to them?
Whatever, it doesn't matter. After repeating the same ceremony as yesterday, Zuko once again debated with Sai about their next course of action.
'So the debate is wither to after that owl spirit or go south treasure hunting.'
"In short, yes. Old Wan and I have an arrangement of sorts. Every generation, the new overlord gives the data of the advancements of his procedure as a part of the library and in return gets access to all the library's content as well as the protection of guest right."
'Sounds… fare?'
"In a way. By now I took nearly everything the old bird could give, the only knowledge I may gain is from the last three thousand years when I was inactive. By the state of technology, the only real information I could get is news. So the library is more of a newspaper to me than a library."
"Even so, Wan Shi Tong gourds the overlord legend. Because of that, the overlord's achievements will never be truly gone. All in all, it is a fair exchange, I suppose."
"Besides, my library ticket is long overdue."
'And you know were to find him?'
"Yes, I can pinpoint Wan Shi Tong's location the same way I can pinpoint the Avatar. He is currently somewhere in the Si Wong desert."
'And why do we need to go to the south pole, again? You were very clear that we aren't ready yet.'
"And we're not. But deep in the icy planes of the south pole there is a storage of rare and unique materials left by the past overlords. It is crucial to secure it for our future plans. There is a risk, but with our current might and my ability to sense the Avatar, I believe that this is a risk worth taking."
"So what will it be, your highness?"
Zuko thought about it for a few minutes. A month ago, he would have jumped on the opportunity to go south and get close to the Avatar. Now, however, he was more levelheaded. As much as he wanted to try his luck with the Avatar down south, the fact that he had an unpaid debt to a spirit such as Wan Shi Tong.
'We'll go to the desert . I will not have unpaid duos.'
"Very well."
Xing managed to produce a few sparks amidst the smoke he coughed.
"He is advancing well, he should start spitting fire in a few days."
'So he really was a late bloomer.'
"True, the ignites and the olive oil helped as well."
Sai suggested a diet for Xing that besides a lot of different kinds of meat, consisted of natural extremely flammable things and hot fire related things. So far, the results were great; the malnutrition Xing had while he was on his own is steadily disappearing.
"It's a good thing that it hunts stronger foes. It shows that your companion has courage to face those stronger than him even when its life isn't under threat. It's loyalty to you is absolute, he wouldn't abandon you."
'But what if Xing gets hurt?'
"Hunting is in its blood, he will be fine."
'Wonder how its day went.'
A few hours earlier.
"Sure thing, you can count on us!"
Mi-Dved proclaimed to the prince as the former asked his sister and him to take Xing for a walk.
"Make sure to return before dark, and don't lose him."
"Of course my prince, as you command."
Jasmine answered.
The two siblings watched the prince's back as he went back to the factory.
"So… What's now?"
"Well, brother of mine, now we better get going. We don't want to lose little Xing after all."
"Your right, come boy."
The earth bender called for the hellhound to follow.
"Xing?"
The siblings looked right and left, but there was no sign for the animal.
"Spirits! How did he disappear so fast! We latterly said just two sentences!"
"I don't know! you're the one who was supposed to hold him, brother!"
"Me?! Why me?! You have two working hands!"
"Well, You're obviously the stronger and fitter one of us! I thought it was obvious!"
"Damn it, Zuko's going to skin us alive when he finds out!"
"Ok, ok, lets calm down for a moment. Everything is fine, we just need to find Xing before Zuko finishes whatever he's doing. We have a few hours at least."
Jasmine tried to calm her brother and herself down.
"And how are we suppose to do it? none of us is a hunter or even a tracker, sister."
"Well, how about you contribute something, you big oaf!"
"Well, maybe we'll go the jungle than?!"
This surprised Jasmine.
"The jungle? Why the jungle?"
"If he was somewhere in the village or somewhere else, people would have gathered to pat it or whatever. Besides, it's curious, it only makes sense that it went to explore the jungle."
"Ow… and I liked that dress."
The enchantress may say that, but she didn't hesitate to go to the dirty jungle.
Hunger… Excitement… Those are the things it felt.
After leader left for leader things, it went after the call of nature to relive itself. It released its waste in the nearest vegetation and went farther. It felt its belly was demanding nutrition and it obeyed.
A sun turn ago, it went after a fine sky walking prey. The thing put up a fight, but once the teeth bit into one sky limb the struggle ended quickly. It still felt the pride and the feeling of accomplishment it felt when leader received its hunt. Leader cared about it and nurtured it and protected it, as pack member it must do the best it can to support the pack and become strong enough for leader to relay on him.
To do that, he had to work and test itself against stronger enemies. The most common opponent was the same walking bald apes that looked like leader, but it figured that leader wouldn't like it to attack others like him, especially when they considered leader as their leader as well. Attacking peck members wouldn't bring leader respect.
So it went deeper into the green in search of a worthy opponent.
"Did you find something, sis?"
"No, you?"
"Damn, let's go to the next part."
They now searched the jungle near the place they lost Xing at, so far, the results were unsuccessful.
Mi-Dved and Jasmine took a right turn and suddenly they smelled something familiar.
"Ew… that disgusting."
"Well, lucky for us this piece of shit means we're on the right track, I recognize the shape and it's Xing's ."
"So what are you waiting for? Follow this shit!"
The siblings moved deeper into the jungle.
It smelled another target like the one from before. This time, the sky walking prey was smaller than the one before. A bite to the neck and the struggle was over. This wouldn't do, it can't show leader this small and weak thing.
With a growl of annoyance, the hunter stalked in search of a worthier target. Not before devouring the food before it, however. It was hungry after all.
In his search for prey, it didn't bother to clean its blood dripping maw. Neither did it care about whatever was left of the prey devoured. As it went farther deep, a trail of blood from its mouth marked its path.
The siblings followed a direction in hopes that it would lead them to Xing, it didn't. They decided to follow another direction so that may find a clue to save their skin.
"Zuko is so going to kill us!"
"Calm down, brother, maybe –"
It was then, when they heard the horrible shriek of a dyeing animal.
The siblings looked at each other.
"You don't think it was…"
"It didn't sound like Xing, sis. But I think we should check in either case. Who knows we may find a clue along the way."
"Can't hurt, I suppose. It's not like my dress isn't already ruined."
The two ran towards the source of the sound.
It continued in its track to hunt a worthy target. On its way it met a few other things, none of them proved to be a worthy adversary. They were all too small and weak. Some were fast, sure, but no one provided the test if strength it needed.
To not be confused, it did enjoy the hunt so far. The thrill of the hunt did good to his inner fire, it could feel that. With the proper food leader gave it, it could feel how each successful hunt fed his inner fire.
It threw away its last catch, some kind of a small scaly creature with four limbs and a relatively large tail. It was fast and hard to catch, but not something that would impress leader.
As it threw it away, another creature of similar build, if a bit bigger, ran from a bush. It took the corpse with it and ran away.
The incident gave it an idea. If a small dead catch brings bigger catch, then maybe big catch brings worthy target. Xing was so happy with the revelation that it decided to spare the thing that ran away and leave it alone.
Now to find bigger prey….
The siblings reached the place from where the screams came from. They found the thing that gave them, or at least whatever was left of it.
"Spirits, that's disgusting."
Jasmine said as she covered her mouth with both hands.
"Well, at least it wasn't Xing."
"At least?! It could have been Xing! We have a killer animal on the loose with Xing nowhere in sight, Zuko will feed us to the Komodo-rhinos if Xing will and up like that!"
"Aren't those herbivores?"
"I don't care what they are supposed to be, half of them looks at me like a piece of meat and the rest look at me like they what nothing more than to stomp on me!"
"So exactly like our male and female population than."
"This isn't time for jokes!"
"Whatever."
Mi-Dved couldn't help but roll his eyes and smile, even at their situation. He continued talking, however, as he noticed something.
"Look, there is a track of blood. Maybe if we follow it, we will find Xing."
"Or maybe the killer animal, you dolt!"
"Well, do you have a better idea?"
Jasmine growled, not unlike Xing when it was angry, and followed the trail of blood. Mi-Dved was right after her.
It followed the trail of another sky walking prey. It now had the idea to hurt one of the prey's sky limbs and make it the desired target for bigger marks.
The prey had its back to it as it crouched and prepared for attack. Then, as fast as it could, it pouched on the prey, teeth sink deep in the sky limb until it felt something snap.
It let go of the prey. The prey tried to fly, but with one sky limb not working it only did an awkward stumbling on the ground. It now stalked the wounded prey in hopes that a larger target will notice the easy meal as well.
After some time of stalking in the shadows, the voice of a prey whose fire was just snuffed out reached its ears.
It ran and busted through the bushes, it was met with a delightful sight.
The prey was now being devoured by a bigger target, and what a beautiful target it was!
The target was bigger than it, had a pair of limbs more than it, sharp ones too, and was obviously a predator. It was the biggest creature it had seen on the island that wasn't part on leader's pack.
Yes, it would be a worthy prize to show to leader indeed…
With a shriek and a growl, the two predators ran towards each other.
"Spirits forbade, just what kind of sadistic creature could do all of this?"
Mi-Dved could not help but nod at his sister's words. He wasn't a stranger to gruesome sights, it was part of life in the arena. Famished animals would cause quite a mess with their prey, but it would always be to eat them.
Whatever caused this literal trail of bodies didn't hunt just because it was hungry, many of the corpses were untouched (except of the killing wounds of course). This killer did it mostly for sport, and that worried the earth bender.
"At least the creature can't be much bigger then Xing."
"Hm? What makes you say it?
His sister turned to him in curiosity.
"Well, if it was bigger, we would have seen bigger bodies. It's up for excitement, it wouldn't miss an opportunity like that."
"Let's pray that you're right…"
They followed the literal trail of bodies with haste.
It was glorious!
The two opponents spar, claws and teeth against fists and sharp-limbs. Its enemy was stronger, it knew it, but it was the faster one in fight. This fact compensated for its lack of ways to attack, it only had one mouth and two attack limbs while its target had a mouth and four.
As their mutual mauling continued, it noticed that even though it was the better fighter, the opponent was just too strong. It wouldn't win this fight by strength alone. Its target also could fly with another pair of strange sky limbs that were on the target's back.
It then got an idea, it couldn't spit fire like leader, not yet at least, but it could blind the enemy for precious time. Then it could attack and maim the flying thing so fighting would be easier.
After the target threw it away, it pouched again. In their close combat it released a smoke breath right into the face of its opponent.
The blast caught the target head on. Smoke blinded is and entered the eyes and lungs, making it hard for the target to breathe and see.
In a fright, the target tried to fly away blindly, but it caught one of the sky limbs and tore it off. This caused the target to wail in pain and fall back to the ground.
It didn't relent, it mauled the target in a brutal fashion. Now it had the higher standing. The target threw attacks at greater strength, but they were blindly thrown and unfocused. The target gust couldn't fight as well as it did before.
And once it reached the neck of the target with its teeth it was over. It bit hard and spilled liquid. The target tried to throw it off and with a desperate strength of a dying creature it succeeded, but in doing so it only killed itself. The teeth tore away the throat and the drops became a spring.
When it stood up again, the target was already not breathing. It stood triumphantly on the prize he would show to leader and barked load for all to hear.
The two continued to follow the bloody path, each step made them more and more desperate.
So far, they had noticed no less than fifteen corpses. Just what kind of sadistic creature could do such a thing?
"I can't believe that a thing like this could exist in the island, it's a wonder that there are any wild animal at all!"
Jasmine said.
"And how did it escape the pirates notice, brother? I hardly think that they would let something to hunt their precious message birds with such impunity."
"Maybe it came after the pirates were gone? There were enough ships that docked here, maybe one of them brought the thing."
"I just hope Xing is alright. It's so cute and adorable, how could Xing possibly defend itself against such a vicious creature?"
"You really don't know Xing, sis, the little fur ball can put up a fight. Remember what I told you about the swamp?"
"I know, but a mother worries. Besides, this thing here is clearly a serial killer."
"One, you're the it's mother, you're not a mother at all. Two, I trust Xing enough to handle itself until we arrive."
"Hey! Zuko is its owner, isn't he? So that means Zuko is its dad, which naturally means that I, the main girl Zuko interacts with, is the mother!"
"What kind of logic… You both are friends at best. He literally ignored all your advances and said he values you as a friend, if that doesn't friend zone than nothing is."
"Oh boo hoo! As if you know something about romance. You better listen to your experienced little sister in this one."
"You conning guys isn't romance, no matter how many times you do it. Besides, I have more experience in steady relationships."
"You and Zia date two months, at best. Besides, didn't she literally stab you in the back, oh grand guru of love?"
"And it still was longer and much healthier than any of your relationships."
"Why you-"
The siblings suddenly heard sounds of a fight in the distance.
"Spirits, it sounds like Xing."
Mi-Dved proclaimed as the two of them sprinted, uncaring about the state of cleanness of their clothes.
After a few minutes, they finally were close. They even could hear Xing's barking.
"Mama is coming, Xing!"
"Not a mother!"
The two of them busted into the clearing, expected the worst. Instead, they were surprised to find Xing standing atop some kind of monkey insect hybrid.
Jasmine immediately ran to Xing to hug it.
"Baby! You're alright! Are you okay? Did this nasty thing hurt my little baby boy? Oh, how brave you are, defeating… whatever it was."
The hellhound wiggled its tail as the female hugged him, translating her behavior as a pride of his hunt.
While the sister fretted over the hellhound, the brother came to a different conclusion.
Mi-Dved noticed the markings on the now dead animal, they were uncomfortably similar to marks on the other corpses they found. Together with the conclusions of his discussion with Jasmine about the outsider roots of the killer, he came to a very frightening (and very real) realization.
The sadistic killer was no other than –
"This thing?"
"I'm a, what?"
His sister's voice drew him back to reality.
"I asked, brother of mine, if you know what is this thing."
"Oh, according to what I know from the little time I was here, this thing is a praying mantis ape. They are considered the apex predators of those small remote islands."
"So it was what killed all those animals."
"Well, actually –"
"Good boy~ you defeated the vile murderer. Look at you, already standing up for yourself like that!"
Mi-Dved decided to keep quiet.
The trio went out of the woods, Jasmine's dress was all muddy and ruined and Mi-Dved was little better. Xing itself was covered in blood, most of which was not his own, and dragged with its mouth the dead praying mantis ape by the right leg.
They didn't even notice when it became dark, their only thought in mind was how to explain all of this to-
"Prince Zuko!"
Jasmine shouted in a surprised tone at the armored figure that gotten close.
"Jasmine, Mi-Dved, right on time. I thought that you would be back in your rooms by now, but nevertheless thank you for kipping Xing company… What in Agni's name happened to you? And is it blood on Xing?!"
"I- w-well…"
"Y-you see-"
"Bark!"
The hellhound dropped its catch near Zuko's feet and wiggled his tail happily.
"Oh, what do we have here?"
The prince crouched on one knee and studied the dead animal.
"Let's see, an adult praying mantis ape… six years old… looks healthy enough, well for a corpse… Did you catch it yourself?"
"Bark!"
"Good boy~"
Zuko patted the hellhound's head with affection.
"Listen, Zuko…"
The earth bender tried to start an explanation that hopefully would save them from most of the prince's rage.
"Save it. Xing looks fine and happy, so it's enough for me. We will talk about this tomorrow, for now bath, eat and sleep. I insist on that order."
"Yes, sir."
Both siblings said.
"Are you sure you want to go with me?"
Zuko was in his cabin on his ship. He is having right now a discussion with the siblings about their next trip. In went without saying that the two of them weren't thrilled to go back to the desert from which they escaped. Nevertheless, they stood firm in their opinion to stay with Zuko through thick and thin.
"I really don't like it, but a deal is a deal. Besides, it's better for us to be there to guide you through the dessert and spare you all kinds of misunderstanding with the locals."
Mi-Dved answered.
"This spirit of knowledge sounds interesting as well. It can be a once in a lifetime opportunity."
Jasmine added.
"Thank you… both of you."
And so, the ship sailed back to the conquered Gauling base.
AN
And this is the end of chapter 14
By the way, the story is now more than 100K words!
The earth kingdom refugees found home in Zuko's employ, how would this change things, I wonder.
Another scam of the white lotus is foiled by the ever vigilant prince and his aid, a great victory for the ascending overlord. Sai, of course, continues to tear apart the uncle and nephew slowly but surly. Poisoning Zuko's thoughts with the worst kind of manipulation, the truth.
Mi-Dved and Jasmine had their heart to heart talk, and Jasmine revealed at least part of her plans for the future.
Once again, the crew got an upgrade. Zuko as well.
Now Zuko has a reason to go both to the dessert and the south pole, and with the bounty on his head the journey will be more dangerous then ever!
He also may or may not meet a few other cannon characters that I'm sure you all are waiting for.
Now the last half of the chapter had Xing as a narrator, for those that had hard time following. it was a challenge to write an animal's point of view, the "it" and the lack of self awareness where a nightmare to write much more than to read. I deliberately didn't have Xing call itself by its name because despite its intelligence, it still lacks the self awareness to use a name.
I also wanted to show the other side of the cute puppy. it is a killing machine, there is reason why the swamp tried to kill it so much. I tried to paint an analogy between Xing and Zuko, both started with a disadvantage, both are trying their best to please their relative authority figure and both are reflecting each other. However, Zuko grew in the oppressive environment of his father while Xing has a supportive one. This reflects in their progress as well, while Zuko was stuck under the weight of his father Xing flourishes. There are of course many differences, one is a man and the other a beast, one knows right and wrong and the other do not.
And so we are setting sail to the mainland!
Now for the reviews:
deniswanheda :
deniswanheda couldn't write his review in the story review, so I'm writing it here:
Disculpa la intromisión, pero no pude publicar mí comentario en el último capítulo de la historia, por eso decidí mandártelo por mensaje
Me encantó, parece que zuko no solo está creciendo en poder físico y militar, sino también político económico y social, la desaparición o un ataque a zuko ahora no solo será un golpe hipotético hacía si padre, sino que ahora hay personas que realmente dependen de zuko y saben que dentro de más crezca y se fortalezca el, más ellos ganarán, creo que llegara el punto dónde Logan y su gente querrán que zuko ocupe el trono de su padre , por las buenas o las malas, me encanta Jasmin, es un gran personaje que creaste, espero verla burlándose de zuko y de Mi-Dved más seguido ( seguro que la forma en que se sentó en el sofá era para burlarse y encantar a zuko) y obviamente ella quiere ser reina, jajaja. Parece que sukki tiene un gran flechazo por nuestro príncipe, lo que no entendí, disculpa la ignorancia, fue el último texto, lo de la isla kyoshi, en cuanto al arma, supongo por los posibles material, que está desarrollando Napalm.
Glad that you liked it!
Yes, Zuko is starting to stand on his own legs and be less reliant on his father. other people are indeed noticing it as well, not on the level of revolt yet but...
I'm happy you liked Jasmine, an author knows that he did something good if the readers like his OCs, and you were spots on her behavior.
the last lines were indeed talking about Suki, sorry if it wasn't clear. Two paragraphs before she stated that she wouldn't think about him at night, so I just figured that the reader would make the connection. sorry about that.
That and other things are developing as well, I promise you, it's going to be a blast.
Brenne:
Trust me, Sai got nothing on the strongest force in existence... teenage hormones!
And you wouldn't be disappointed.
Guest:
All are very good guesses, and you gave me some very interesting ideas to the story. I would like to hear more of your ideas!
Anyway, be sure to write what you think about the chapter and the story. Don't be afraid to share what you think could and should happen.