Hakoda and his four men stood behind the tall walls of General Fong's fortress, far from the comfort of the ship and the ocean. Leagues of dry earth, mountains, and rock surrounded them, corralling them into General Fong's fortress-like herded animals. Fishes out of the water, Bato had said, as they trekked to General Fong's base to request his aid. Hakoda could not think of a better way to describe it. The land did not agree with him nearly as well as the familiar cool crunch of ice and snow beneath his boots or the soft sway of the ocean. Even the evening sun beat down on his back and brow without the soothing sea breeze.
Hakoda wiped a thin sheen of sweat from his forehead. The summer solstice meant another few moon cycles of unbearable weather. Perhaps with the constant heat from the sun, Ty Mai would be faring well. A pang cut underneath his ribs. Kota, Tonaq, and Ty Mai. All missing. They were ultimately his responsibility. The fault of their disappearance fell to him. That had been a terrible night all around. Uruk had awoken him, urging him to get up quickly and muttering that their bunks were empty. Sure enough, Uruk had been right. Hakoda had been unconcerned at first. Tonaq and Kota were capable warriors, and Ty Mai could handle herself. Still, the men had risen to search for them, only to hear a riverboat behind the moss wall that camouflaged them.
After being spotted, they hadn't time to begin looking for their missing crew. The fight was over before the Fire Nation knew what had hit them. The Fire Nation would have caught them by surprise. The damp moss wall fortunately ate a significant amount of fire. The ship had only taken minor damage in the dark. Hakoda ended the brief skirmish by ordering Uruk and Sangok to launch a barrel of blasting jelly at the boat. The men were strong, and the Fire nation was unprepared. A soldier had struck the barrel with a stray fireball just before it reached their ship. The explosion nearly burst his eardrums.
Hakoda hadn't had time to consider if they had been captured until they were far away from the swampy shores. The constant uncertainty was a plague on his mind. A sickness he could not recover from that distracted him from his duties. The crew was more restless as well in their absence. Kota and Tonaq's youthful optimism and humor kept them in balance. And Ty Mai...
Hakoda hoped and prayed they were safe. He would find the same spot on the ship under the cover of night to pray to Tui and La to guide them back safely. General Fong's fortress felt so far away. They were capable warriors, he knew, so long as they weren't captured, he believed they could find their way back. He had to believe it to focus on meeting with General Fong. Earlier, some of Fong's men arrived to escort their cutter into a safe location, cleverly obscuring the boat in the cliffside before leading them through the mountains.
General Fong wanted a report on their progress, and Hakoda would give it to him, sharp and honed, like a new blade. King Bumi in Omashu would hear of the report along with the provincial governors in the area and perhaps could devise a strategy around his scattered fleet's hit-and-run assaults. Hakoda wanted to inquire about the Earth King in Ba-Sing-Se, but lingering mistrust cooled that thought. What would be reported to their king?And would we hear more lies about the return of the Avatar if we sank more ships? Hakoda could imagine the letter they would receive. Only a few more, and then the Avatar will be on his way! Regards, his uselessness.
Hakoda was not allowed to dwell. An Earth Kingdom soldier marched toward them and hailed Hakoda. "He's ready to see you." Hakoda bowed as customary.
"Excellent. Lead the way." The long yard ahead was lined with men who trained, marching in rigid platoons and drilling in the heat. Earthbenders heaved several large rings between themselves. Some stopped to stare at them. Hakoda ignored their curious glances, following his escort up winding flights of stairs in the tower until they reached massive bronze doors.
General Fong received him in a main hall fit more for a king than a general. Marbled pillars rose in pairs to a vaulted ceiling before a throne and Fong's desk, which was twice as large as Hakoda's own cabin. The Earth Kingdom's emblem hung above Fong, embroidered on a tapestry and flanked below by a map of the four nations and a map of the Earth Kingdom marked by enemy and allied troop movements. A small blue boat was pinned near Fong's fortress - a nice touch. Fong himself peered over piles of scrolls and papers on his desk. After a moment, the soldiers escorting Hakoda coughed loudly, yet Fong did not look up.
"Sir, Chief Hakoda of the Southern Water Tribe is here to deliver a report to you." Finally, Fong set the map aside with a grin. Green, eager eyes met Hakoda's cool blue.
"A pleasure to finally meet you in person, Chief Hakoda." held back a sigh.
"Likewise." The soldiers at his sides bowed and left them to speak, falling back to stand guard at the door.
Fong rose and walked around the table, extending a hand and asking, "How have your travels been?" Hakoda looked behind the tall man at the throne-like chair he had risen from.
"Uneventful for the most part," Hakoda answered. Fong smiled.
"Other than your progress on the naval front, I assume?" Hakoda arched a brow.
"You would assume correctly." Fong hummed and backed away.
"You will have to regale me with the stories. But first, I have one of my own. The fire nation is in a panic." Fong said. Hakoda crossed his arms. "One of my men in the north shot down a messenger hawk. Their admirals and generals are ordering a search just North of Omashu. They claim the Avatar destroyed a town and killed a Captain in the mining town." Fong's expression was inscrutable. Hakoda felt his stomach Mai, what have you done?
After a moment, Hakoda asked, "Is that all?" General Fong paced in front of him.
"Two water tribe warriors were with the Avatar." Hakoda bit his tongue. At least they were cleared his throat.
"General Fong, I can explain." Fong turned to him with an ear-to-ear grin.
"No need, Chief Hakoda. This is brilliant!" Whatever excuses Hakoda cooked up were suddenly swallowed. The last word Hakoda would have used to describe their misadventure with Ty Mai was brilliant.
"Brilliant?" Hakoda repeated cautiously. Fong chuckled and turned around, facing his desk, hiding his face from Hakoda's watchful eyes.
"Yes! When the Earth King told me you would be occupying our waters, I was skeptical, I admit. Water tribe warriors patrolling our coasts, acting as saboteurs? I told the Earth King it was ridiculous. Yet, not only have you succeeded on the open water, but you've also created an excellent diversion on the land!"The Earth Kingdom's generals were fed the idea that the Avatar was also in Ba-Sing-Se?Could that make Fong an ally?Hakoda assessed Fong's relaxed muscles carefully, holding his tongue. It would take more than a mutual lie to melt away the new icy barrier between him and the Earth Kingdom. A crack in the ice was all that it was.
"I'm glad my efforts are recognized, General," Hakoda said.
"Yes, perhaps with your distraction, the Earth King will send the Avatar to help us." Fong marched forward to his maps. Hakoda followed.
"That would be appreciated." Hakoda began carefully. "I would very much like to meet the Avatar. Perhaps I could travel to Ba-Sing-Se and petition the Earth King myself." It was overstepping, to be sure. Hakoda expected a reprimand at minimum. Instead, General Fong rumbled with laughter. The sound bounced around off the pillars and walls of the open hall.
"You would never get close enough to meet him. The Dai Lee would not allow it. They hardly allowed us to finish our lunch together."The Dai Lee?Fong observed him momentarily, "The cultural preservers of Ba-Sing-Se." He elaborated. The explanation did little for Hakoda's imagination. "I met him a few times, though. Perhaps I could return and speak to him about our situation." Now, Hakoda struck.
"When was the last time you'd seen your Avatar?" Fong moved several pins on the map. More fire nation forces were diverted from Omashu and Ba-Sing-Se, moving to the area near the Senlin and Hei Bei forests. A entire fleet of ships were shifted to the Mo Ce Sea.
"Nearly one year ago," Fong said. At his back, Hakoda could not hide his brief expression of disbelief.
"A year?" Hakoda asked, then, "That's not too long. What was he like?"
"Brilliant. Gon is a magnificent Earthbender. I've watched him bend fire, water, and air. He's certainly mastered them all. He's a force of nature." Fong turned to him, and the glassy, feverish expression in his eyes made Hakoda wary. "With him at the front of the war, we could turn the tide." Then, the fire faded like someone tossed a bucket of water onto him. "Alas, the Earth King believes he is more suited to defending Ba-Sing-Se."
"You've seen him bend all of the elements?" Hakoda asked.
"Of course! There's an elaborate ceremony every year for the Avatar. He performs for all of the rings in Ba-Sing-Se as if there isn't a war just outside his walls." Could there be two Avatars? Hakoda sighed. Something was wrong here. He was sure he had watched Ty Mai bend that water, sure as the sun rising in the morning.
"What would you do if you had the Avatar?" Fong's expression changed again. A steel curtain descended over his face.
"I would wipe the Fire Nation from our shores. Take the war to their home and feed them the fire they've burned my Kingdom with. With a weapon like that, we could finally end this war." Hakoda frowned.
"The Avatar is not a weapon to be wielded." His caution was met with a frown. The youthful energy had disappeared from the man. Hakoda finally noticed the bags under his eyes and the gray peeking from the roots of his hair.
"Has this war not taken enough from you, Chief Hakoda? You've seen fit to send a child to distract the Fire nation, along with two of your own men, likely to their own deaths. Yet, you draw the line at using the Avatar?" His flat, dead gaze held steady. Hakoda didn't back down, but he did not elaborate. Just like that, their conversation soured.
"Well, I appreciate your efforts on the war front, Hakoda. Perhaps you may brief me in full tomorrow. For now, you're welcome to our bunks if you wish." General Fong offered, not unkindly. Hakoda smiled thinly.
"I appreciate the offer, General. We will remain on our ship." General Fong met his answer with a slight tilt of his head.
"Very well, Chief Hakoda. I look forward to planning this war with your help." Hakoda bowed and followed the guards out of the spiraling tower, where he found his men conversing with the soldiers. As soon as they saw their chief, they bid their goodbyes, shaking the hands of those they spoke with, and followed Hakoda down the mountainside trail to their boat. His brothers were hoping for good news. What little he had to tell them, he was reluctant to share. He would have to tread carefully. The anticipation on the walk back choked any budding conversation.
When they reached the boat, Sangok's voice cut the tension like the swing of an axe, "Is there anything that General Fong can do to help?" All eyes rested on Hakoda. The weight of leadership fell upon his shoulders heavily now. He gestured to the barrels around them, pulled one beneath his legs, and sat gingerly.
"Our conversation never made it that far." He admitted, and before anyone could interrupt, he continued, lowering his voice, "Though, General Fong told me about a report. He doesn't understand the significance of what has happened. I would like to keep it that way." The men exchanged glances. Sangok leaned forward while Pohu scanned the cliffside and path they walked.
"Someone under General Fong's command intercepted a fire nation messenger hawk. They are mobilizing their troops just north of the river for a search." Hakoda let that settle while he considered his following words.
"What does that have to do with us?" Uruk asked. "Is the Fire Nation onto us? Is that it?" Hakoda inhaled a deep, calming breath.
"The Fire Nation believes the Avatar destroyed a mining town. Two water tribe warriors were with her." The men immediately expressed degrees of frustration, exasperation, and apprehension. In the clamor, one of the warriors mentioned immediately leaving Fong's fortress to sail north and find them.
"Enough," Hakoda interjected. He looked at Sangok, who had been the one to suggest it. The idea was dangerous and had more risk than reward. "We can't leave now and try to find them." Sangok stepped forward, arms in the air.
"Why not?" He pointed out toward the sea. "Kota and Tonaq are out there right now! Being chased by the Fire Nation! What if they get captured? What if the Avatar falls back into the hands of the Fire Nation?"
"We don't know where they are. They could be anywhere. We must trust Kota, Tonaq,and Ty Mai to return safely. They know where will be waiting for them." They didn't want to hear the answer, but the truth was hard to hear sometimes. Hakoda had seen the Firenation fleet gathering on Fong's map in the north. It was too dangerous for them. Three on foot in the forests and mountains were more challenging to find than a boat on open water. However... "If another report reaches General Fong's ears, we will discuss departing, provided enough time has passed." They were young. Certainly, Ty Mai was, and they could only survive on the run for so long without help. This would be about timing - cool heads must prevail for success.
"And what about the fleet? We are supposed to meet them soon. How long do we wait until we need to act?" Pohu asked.
"We wait as long as it takes," Sangok said, glaring at the open ocean. Uruk and Bato grunted in agreement. Pohu closed his eyes but nodded.
"Alright. We wait then."
"Get some rest. We will discuss this further over dinner. For now, I must decide what to report to General Fong in the morning." Hakoda dismissed his men. Bato remained. Hakoda knew he had a point to make and would let him make it.
"The men will grow restless here." He began. "If they make it back, we will also have to vote on the Avatar staying, and that's a promise you will have to keep. What do you make of General Fong? Would he be suitable to keep her safe?" Hakoda remembered his eyes - weary, tired, and a weapon like that, we could finally end this war.
"I think we are not leaving Ty Mai here if that is where the vote ends." He finished. Bato's eyes flashed.
"What then?" He asked. Hakoda pinched his nose.
"I don't know." He felt Bato's reassuring squeeze for only an instant before his first mate followed the crew below deck, leaving Hakoda alone. "Tui and La, keep them safe."
Rays of sunlight reflected in the rushing river. The waters lapped at the sandy shoreline, and Azula soaked her clothes in the clear, cold waters, scrubbing sweat stains from her old Fire Nation clothing. Ty Lee watched from behind her, bending backward onto her hands and stretching silently. Her presence had become as constant as Azula's shadow. More constant were the questions she prodded and peppered Azula with when they were alone.
Why are you hiding your identity from them? Are you feeling okay? Sorry - it's just your aura... never mind. Are you really going to betray your Father and the fire nation? Azula avoided answering her acute questions. The scrutiny was troublesome, to say the least, never mind that Azula didn't know what her answer would be to any of those anymore. She deflected everything with her own questions. What are aura's, Ty Lee? What else did you learn at the circus? Are you sure that this is what you want? Half-heartedly listening to Ty Lee's responses satisfied her for a time, but sure as sunrise, the girl would ask another irritating question.
"Hey, Az- Ty Mai?" Azula's shoulders heaved as she sighed. She squeezed the water from her red silk shirt and warmed it with her hands. Streams of steam floated from the cloth. Azula's measured voice carried over the cascading river.
"Yes, Ty Lee?" A stick snapped behind was that Ty Lee's back?
"What are you going to do with Zuko if he finds you? I remember your Uncle told me he was supposed to capture the Avatar. He was so sad." Azula didn't think it was helpful to use her made-up name if she would mention her brother, the former prince of the Fire Nation, in the next breath. Ty Lee sucked in a sharp inhale before rattling off another question. "What if he starts hunting you?" At first, Azula paused her cleaning. Then, she laughed for the first time in a long while, imagining her brother stumbling over his firebending in pitiful attempts to apprehend her.
"My brother is far too incompetent for the punishment Father gave him." Azula frowned, , Uncle... he is a different beast - an actualdragon. Uncle was far more capable of capturing her than Zuko. With any luck, Uncle would be far away before he caught wind of her misadventures, and she could leave these mountains and forests behind.
"Oh. It's sad that for Zuko to return home, he must capture you first." Yes, the universe always pits Zuko and me against each other: for Father, Mother, and Uncle's affection, for the throne, for superiority, and now, for my life. The thought exhausted her. Azula sat down on the soft dirt as she rolled her clothes into neat bundles, setting them next to Kota, Tonaq, and Ty Lee's piles. "Are you going to fight Zuko and the Fire Nation if they come for you?"
"No, Ty Lee, I thought I would lie down and let them bring me home for a lovely tea party with my father." Azula looked back to catch Ty Lee frowning, then she put her hands on her hips and glared at Azula.
"Ty Mai, that's not funny!" Then, she cartwheeled forward, planting her feet next to Azula and dropping into an elegant squat. "You told me that you fought our people." Azula heard the hesitation in her voice. "You never said what happened, other than... you think you killed some of them. I know you don't remember, but can you tell me how the fight happened?"
"It wasn't a fight. Fights are fair." That was anything but. She had only seen the results, and it didn't take Wan Shi Tong to figure out it had been a massacre. Ty Lee's lower lip wobbled, her gaze lowered as Azula continued. "I only know what I have been told. I didn't want to do it. Kota, idiot that he is, decided to step in when one of them was going to take a woman."
Ty Lee looked horrified. "Why were they taking her?" Azula sighed.
"She was suspected of harboring earthbenders. There had been a rebellion or something of the sort in the town. We- the Fire Nation put it down. All of the Earthbenders are being taken as a precaution." She waved it off, ignoring Ty Lee's increasingly distressed gaze. "We had stayed with her the night before. Kota and Tonaq felt a sense of loyalty, and Kota stepped in to stop them. I tried toshut him up, but his head is as dense as that rhino of ours. We were outnumbered, and I remember they were seized." Azula drifted off, recalling the buzzing, electric sensation in her body. It was the same as bending lightning but more warm, like a miniature sun glowing in her body. The voices...
Ty Lee spoke up after a moment, "They told me their water benders were taken the same way. I didn't think it was true."
"I'm sure that had something to do with it too." Azula cursed her voice for . They were peasants, and it was things happened in battle, she tried to remind herself.
"I didn't know. Your water tribe... friends... also said that the army killed all the air nomads. It wasn't a battle at all like we'd been taught." Azula stared at Ty Lee sternly, but her head faced the river. Azula barely heard her over the water. "I don't want to turn ... I just don't know what to believe anymore." Azula didn't either. They'd been taught about greatness and spreading their superiority. Their power and superiority gave them the right to rule over the nations. Azula had learned explicitly about power and how it should be used from her Father. She remembered broaching the subject with shouldn't the other nations not bend their knee and accept the fire nation's advancements?To say Uncle had been severe in his rebuke would be an understatement. After everything, the question now hardly seemed appropriate. He'd softened her far more than the Avatar spirit. She clutched the washed clothes under her arm tightly. Agni, I'm becoming weak.
After a moment, she looked back at the forest, then down at Ty Lee. "Come on," Azula extended Ty Lee a hand, helping her off the ground. "Kota and Tonaq will be done picking up camp by now." Ty Lee finally looked up, and her stomach rumbled.
"With breakfast?" Azula nodded, feeling her own gnawing belly.
"With breakfast." Ty Lee clapped her hands together, then picked up the remaining clothes from the sandy shore and followed Azula back to camp. They ate fish that Kota had caught and roasted over a fire, moon peaches from Hina, and dubious mushrooms that Tonaq had found. Ty Lee had asked him if they were the type that made you see things, to which Tonaq had laughed and told her no. Azula was sure she caught him double-checking the mushrooms between bites but was hungry enough to not care.
They left their camp after, and fortunately, Ty Lee engaged them with stories from the circus while they traversed alongside the riverbank. Azula realized there had been much more silence without her friend as she tried to remember how they'd passed the time while traveling. Still, she failed to recall any lengthy silence or girl was a born entertainer. I suppose that comes with joining a , around midday, trees began to clear, and a village appeared on the horizon. Azula was hopeful, noticing tiny objects floating in the water. could cross the river now. She lashed the reins, quickening their pace.
The village sat on the bank of the river, consisting of a few dozen homes and far more shops behind a small, earthen wall. Another pagoda was centered in the village. Was it in the Earth Kingdom's sensibilities to build a unique town? Azula snapped the reins of their rhino and gave them a sharp tug. The beast halted almost immediately. Azula would miss having something around that obeyed her orders so well. Maybe if she fed the rhino to Kota, some obedience would be passed on to him.
"Why are we stopping?" Tonaq asked from the back.
"I want to make a few things clear." Azula began. "Again, there will be no heroics here, and you will keep your heads down. I don't care if they are dragging an old woman through the streets and having her whipped." Ty Lee's arms tightened painfully around her waist. Azula heard Kota grunt behind them.
"And if we get attacked first?" Azula scoffed.
"You can't see me, but I'm rolling my eyes." A flick thumped on the back of her head. "Ow." She rubbed the spot and glared over her shoulder to an unapologetic Kota, "They might not recognize us. I'm not sure there will be wanted posters of us this soon, but we need to be careful anyway." She sighed, finally giving him the answer he wanted, "However, if they do attack, then by all means, we defend ourselves." The water tribe warriors hummed. "That does not mean you instigate an attack." Azula clarified. With the rules clear, Azula snapped the reins again, guiding the rhino outside the walls.
"Kota, wait here with the rhino." Azula handed him the reins after dismounting.
"Why do I have to stay here?"
"Because you're the most similar to her."
"Haha, hilarious, Ty Mai."
Her voice cracked a whip, "It's because the rhino has a more cool head than you. Maybe you will learn something." She ignored his frown and told Tonaq to find food, handing him a few gold pieces.
"I understand this is more money than you've seen before," She ignored his glare, "But do not spend more than you need to. This must last until we get to Omashu; remember, it'smy money. I don't share." Tonaq looked at the gold pieces, then at Azula.
"Alright. I'll see what I can find."
"Good. I'll find a boat and a fisherman willing to sail us across the river. We meet here before sundown. If I don't find one, that thing will need food." She pointed at the rhino.
"Sundown's a long time," Kota muttered.
"It gives us plenty of time to look," Azula said plainly. Ty Lee looked between the three of them, shuffling awkwardly.
"What should I do?"
"You're coming with me." Ty Lee lit up with a grin.
Tonaq parted to search for food while Azula and Ty Lee strode across the town to the docks.
"There's not a lot of people here." Ty Lee observed, and Azula hummed in agreement. She expected a small throng of villagers around midday, yet the stalls were barren, and most of the shops closed.
"Az-," Ty Lee began hesitantly, "Ty Mai, do you think you're being a little mean to-" Azula's glare made Ty Lee's mouth snap shut. "Never mind." The docks finally come into view. A few vessels were spread out among the small harbor with three long, interconnected wooden docks extending beyond each.
"I'm still furious with Kota," Azula admitted. "What he did... It was inexcusable. We could have been captured. They could have been killed. Now, everyone will know what I've done."
"Okay." That was all Ty Lee had to say? Azula didn't face her friend; instead, she inspected each ship in the bay. Most of the boats at least appeared serviceable. The nets and large hooks that hung from the sides and were splayed out along the docks were a giveaway. They were fishing boats. Azula expected to find at least a few fishermen, but the docks were largely abandoned, more so than the town behind them. Ty Lee hummed next to her. "It's quiet. And creepy" Azula nodded, noticing an emptiness that sucked the life from the quiet. Her hackles were raised. Wood creaked, and waves sloshed, filling the void with ambient noise. Wild wind gusts whipped at the few lowered sails among them. It felt like a graveyard for ships and sailors. Azula sucked in a breath, trying to fill herself with courage as she walked out along the dock. Ty Lee squeaked and jumped to follow. "Zula, something feels weird." Azula kept quiet, flickering her eyes from boat to boat. One of these had to be worth stealing.
A loud thump echoed above them, and Azula tensed. Ty Lee held her breath behind her. A wizened and weather-beaten face peered over the edge of a fishing boat. Sunken, suspicious eyes stared down at them. Azula cleared her throat just as Ty Lee chirped a polite hello.
"I was looking for someone who could help us. It seems my wishes were answered." Azula said smoothly. The man scratched his balding head. Azula couldn't tell if the wrinkles were scowl or wrinkles just so.
"What do you want?"Scowl, then. Azula matched his glare.
"I want to make a trade. We need to go to Omashu." Azula barely had time to finish her sentence before his answer was spat at her.
"No." He pushed himself off the railing and began to limp off. Azula looked at Ty Lee incredulously, and she shrugged awkwardly.
"Maybe he's tired."
"You haven't even heard my offer!" Azula shouted. Maybe someone else would hear them. Someone more amenable than this codger.
The fisherman whipped around in a frenzy. "I'm not crossing to Omashu, even if you offered me all the gold in the Earth King's palace." That was an unexpected response.
"Why not?" Ty Lee asked.
"There's a Funayurei in the waters." The man whispered, looking out across the wide river. Azula narrowed her eyes. "Why do you think there's no one here? These docks used to be filled with fishermen, merchantmen, and pirates. Pirates! Even the pirates won't sail to our village anymore! Accursed Funayurei." Ty Lee looked curious.
"A what?" Ty Lee asked calmly. The fisherman raised a brow.
"You don't know?" Azula was already prepared to leave for the next town. What nonsense this was. "A Funayurei is an angry water spirit. They're angry because their waters are being desecrated." His lips screwed tightly together, and he looked around them. "It's the damn Fire Nation. They've sunk two merchant vessels. A mistake, that's what they called it. I say they're criminals. Worse, their ships keep leaking all sorts of muck into the river." Azula crossed her arms, unimpressed. Ty Lee hummed, nodding along with the story. His bloodshot eyes found hers. "You don't believe me. Go ask old lady Quin, then! People used to come from far and wide to see her! Not anymore. No one comes here no more." He scratched at his stubble. "She lives in the forest. Follow the dirt road until you see the thatched hut. She'll tell you everything you didn't know you wanted to know!" Azula sighed.
"Perhaps she'll tell me where to find a competent crew willing to cross the river." The fisherman shrugged.
"Maybe she will. But there are none in these waters." Clearly. Azula glanced at the empty, rocking boats before turning on her heel and walking back up the dock. Ty Lee skipped to her side.
"Will we go visit her?" Azula looked at her friend.
"Who?"
"The old lady!"
An exasperated sound escaped Azula. "You didn't believe that nonsense, did you?" Ty Lee blinked owlishly.
"Nonsense?"
"Yes, Ty Lee. That fisherman was clearly-" She bumped into a barrel-chested it. The words almost tore from her throat, but she calmed herself. "Sorry," Her voice lowered meekly, 'I wasn't paying attention." Though she kept her eyes lowered, the man let out a gasp.
"It's you!" He whispered. Alarmed, Azula backed away next to Ty Lee, who was raising her fists, but the man held up his hands.
"Gold eyes! My mother said to keep an eye open for you! She's expecting you in the forest." Ty Lee lowered her hands.
"Is your mother old lady Quin?" The man nodded, pride shining in his eyes.
"Yes! She used to be quite the traveler, but now she can't get around like she used to. I'm doing what I can for her. I'm Chun!"
"Wonderful. That's touching." Azula walked past the man and heard Ty Lee muttering an apology before catching up to her.
"Let's go see her!" Azula looked around the village and sighed.
"Fine." If only to get some peace of mind. Hopefully, they will be back before Tonaq worries. They strolled out of the low walls, into the dense undergrowth beneath red-leaved trees. Azula considered why this woman was expecting how?Ty Lee for once was strangely silent beside her. There were no stories of the circus under the shadows of the forest's canopy. Only Azula and her spirit?Now an old woman who claims to be waiting for me?Azula hoped to Agni the day would not turn stranger. The sun had moved further beyond its peak in the sky by the time they reached the hut.
It was small and disguised well among the bushes, and trees. If it wasn't for the obvious tracks going to an from the front door, Azula doubted she would have found it at all. They stepped off the dirt rode and cleared aside some branches, walking up to the shoddy excuse for a door and knocking. There was no answer. Azula tapped her foot and knocked if this was an ambush?If it was, it was a poor one, she thought, as a greying woman opened the door. Her unfocused - milky white, and blind, Azula realized - eyes gazed vaguely in their direction. She was an unimpressive sight, hunching over a cane that looked ready to break at any moment. Her free hand gestured in their direction for them to follow her into the hovel. Azula smelled faint mold and fungus. Disgusting.
"We're here to see Lady Quin. Her son said she was expecting us." Ty Lee said.
"I can read your future for a gold piece." The woman's smile was nearly toothless.
Azula scoffed. To think they had walked all that way for nothing. "I knew this would be a waste of time." Azula snapped. At her voice, the old woman stiffened like a board. Her bony hand wrenched Azula's wrist before she could move. Her milky eyes widened.
"Oh. Oh. The Avatar. My apologies." Azula's eyes widened, and she tried yanking her arm back, but her grip did she know?
"Let me go." Her voice shook. Ty Lee stepped close, clamping her hand on Azula's shoulder. Her stormy grey eyes asked Azula a you want help? The woman tilted her head.
"An Avatar who has fallen far from the balanced ideal she represents. Don't you want to know your place in this, Princess Azula?" Azula sucked in a sharp breath. The ice in her chest melted, replaced by a blazing furnace. The woman's grin was toothless, but Azula believed her to be anything but.
"How dare you." Azula finally whipped her arm back, rubbing her red wrist. "Are you a spy? Who sent you here?" Azula demanded, not bothering to light a fire for intimidation. Neck bones creaked as the woman shook her head.
"No one sent me. I have traveled with the air nomads and met many of their spiritual gurus to free my mind. Perhaps the spirit world has brought us together for that purpose, young Avatar."
"I don't believe you. Come, Ty Lee, we're leaving." The blank stare didn't follow Azula.
"Three teachers. Air in the ice, water with blood, and earth on fire." The woman crooned. Her words gave Azula pause. The urge to sit and listen - a temptation Azula resisted - prodded the edges of her what? Suffer through more of this spinster's nonsense? Would she warn Azula of monsters and spirits of the imagination like the terrified fisherman? I should know better, Azula thought. Yet, she had witnessed stranger things. Roku, Gon, Karuk, Aang, and other Avatars of the past once taunted her from the corners of her bedroom and haunted her dreams. But this was no ghost. This was a wrinkled bag of flesh who wanted her gold.
"I'm afraid it will take more than bad poetry to make me listen to you." Before she left, her wispy words were carried by the wind.
"You will listen, or a terrible fate will befall us all." The cold returned with the woman's prediction. To Azula, it sounded like a promise. Azula swept an arm across the tent flap, pulling Ty Lee out. She stomped toward the town, ignoring the thrumming of blood in her ears. Her head spun like a swivel, searching the trees for men who waited in the shadows, but the only enemies she found were the branches and leaves she was forced to shove from her face.
They were well down the road, almost halfway back to the town when Azula's blood had cooled, and Ty Lee yanked her wrist back and rubbed it. She shouted as Azula continued in the vague direction of civilization. "Azula! Azula, stop!" After not hearing Ty Lee's footsteps behind her, she froze and looked around her. Ty Lee caught up, asking, "Are you alright? That lady freaked me out." Azula released a long breath, clenching and unclenching her shaking hands.
"That old crone? Please. I'm not afraid of an old blind woman. I could have burnt her to a crisp if she was any real threat." All color left Ty Lee's face for a moment. "How did she know who I was?" Ty Lee fiddled with the end of her braid. "Do you think she was a spy?" At that, Ty Lee giggled, and Azula crossed her arms. "What?"
"Nothing 'Zula." Ty Lee kicked her leg up in an impromptu stretch. "She might have been telling the truth." Of course, Ty Lee would believe this nonsense. Ty Lee had spent months with a circus, learning to read auras and dabbling in whatever drivel and nonsense came with it. "Mistress Meng and Potbelly Oro told me they've seen the air nomads. If I had stuck around, they would have found me some. Of course, some of the others said that they were crazy, that the air nomads are dead and gone." Ty Lee pouted. "I really wanted to meet some myself."
"Well, I hope we run into some." She needed an airbending teacher for the sake of her airbending and her sanity. Azula did not want the Avatar spirits to return. She remembered their voices in that instant before she lost consciousness. There must have been hundreds - no, thousands - of them, all waiting to torment her in her dreams and follow her into the world. Ty Lee chirped the sound of a fresh idea.
"She might know how to find them. We should go back and ask her." Azula balked at Ty Lee's suggestion. "You think it's a bad idea? I thought you said she was harmless. She's a half-blind old lady, Azula. I think you can take her." Ty Lee's tone carried a teasing lilt.
"She insulted me."Called me unbalanced, but she needs a cane to walk. Azula kicked at a loose rock, watching it tumble down the dirt path. If the woman had traveled with the air nomads, she would know where their hiding places were, the areas they frequented, and hopefully, if there was a master among them.
"I don't think she meant it as an insult, Azula." What else could it have been? Azula was a tangled marionette, out of tune, and wrapped up in her problems. Perhaps the woman's words were closer to the truth than she wanted to admit. "Anyway, I really think we should go back. She might know something helpful." Azula looked back at the winding dirt road. The sun was still high. If the woman didn't know anything, then at least she tried.
"Alright," Azula said. Ty Lee clasped her hands and pulled her back to the hut. The door opened before Azula could knock, revealing that awful toothless grin.
"I knew you would come back." She said, stepping aside. Azula entered the damp room, finding a creaky wooden stool to sit on. Quin dragged a chair, scraping it along the wood until it was across from Azula.
"You said you traveled with the air nomads." Azula began, not allowing the woman to muddy the waters. "Where do they stay? Do they visit the temples?"
"They do visit their temples. There is someone more important than the air nomads you must meet. You need a spiritual teacher. Your spirit and the avatars are not aligned; your goals are not shared. You need a reason to pick up the mantle of the Avatar." Azula scoffed, but the woman continued, ignoring her. "My teacher was a guru; he lived in the mountains of the eastern air temple. In my vision, you met him when you were... a little older. More blue than green on your back. Different hair, too.
"I don't care about that right now. I need an airbending teacher. Certainly, your visions showed you that."
"I already told you of your teachers."
"That was an unhelpful riddle, not information I can act on."
"Very well." The woman hummed and closed her eyes. "I remember the boy in my vision. The temple where you found him was familiar to me. Southern. Southern Air Temple." Azula raised her brows. The southern air temple was closest to them. The woman continued. "Your best chance to meet an Airbender would be on the fall equinox. What few air nomads remain, they celebrate the Yangchen festival in secret. Some return to the temples to honor her memory. It is the summer solstice now. You can make it in time."The summer solstice? Today?Azula dimly realized she had turned twelve. One year ago, her Father held court, and the nobility showered her with gifts in their favor. Iroh had given her a pai sho set. Azula wished she had the game with her to pass the time. Ty Lee seemed to catch on and beamed a smile at Azula.
"Wow, Azula! It's your birthday!"
"What a birthday it is," Azula said tonelessly.
"Go, now. Do not cross the river here. The river spirit is restless, and you," the old crone said, pointing a finger at her. "You are not ready. Your spirit is not in tune with that of the Avatar."
"Then where are we to cross?" Azula kept her irritation in check.
"Cross the river in the East, beyond Senlin village. Go to Gaipan. Do not challenge the spirit." The crone's mouth angled low. "The future holds many trials, young Avatar, and your body, mind, and spirit are unprepared for them," Azula remembered the destroyed town and felt the shadow of her Uncle waiting and watching for her to appear.
"We'll see about that." Her voice lacked ferocity.
"You will have to fight your nation, child. Better to accept that sooner rather than when it's too late." Azula rose from her chair, finally hearing enough.
"Thank you for telling me of the airbenders." She said stiffly. "Because of that, I won't burn down your disgusting hut, though I think even ash would smell better than this." She swept out of the room, stomping back toward the town. Ty Lee followed her, this time in silence. Azula was grateful. On the walk back, her rage set like the sun did. Its orange and purple glow was visible over the treeline. Kota waved them over while Tonaq held up a worn, yellowed rice paper, grinning ear to ear.
"I bought a map!" He shouted. Azula supposed it wasn't the worst way to spend her money. As Tonaq handed her the leftover pieces, Kota frowned, looking between her and Ty Lee.
"Where were you guys? It's almost sundown." Azula ignored him.
"Show me the map." Tonaq and Azula eagerly squatted. A provincial map of Omashu and surrounding areas. Azula was impressed.
"Are you going to answer my question?" Kota sounded annoyed.
"We were investigating!" Ty Lee said, inserting herself between them. "Let me tell you what we found out!"
"Did you run into trouble?" Tonaq asked, and Azula met his gaze.
"No." She said. Azula had no interest in explaining how she wasted the entire afternoon. He nodded, satisfied.
"Good." Then, he sighed, "I take it you couldn't find a boat."
"No... the townsfolk seem to have given up fishing. They're claiming a river spirit has been kidnapping sailors." Azula explained. Tonaq grimaced.
"That sounds awful."
"You believe it?"
"We respect the spirits in the Southern Water Tribe." His head cocked to the side. "You're the Avatar."
"And?"
You can fix it, make the spirit go away. My Father once told me a story about Avatar Kuruk interacting with some spirits... It didn't go well for him, though. Maybe for you, it will be different?"
The woman's warning played in Azula's mind, and she hesitated. "I don't think it would go well for me either. I don't have experience with... spirits. We're skipping this town."
Tonaq seemed to accept her answer. "Okay." He looked at the map, scrunching his nose. He pressed a finger onto the marker for Senlin village.
"Here, then. I think we will have our best luck in the larger town. It's also the closest." Azula shook her head.
"It's not near a waterway; we must find a village closer to the river." Tonaq tapped his chin, thinking. Ty Lee and Kota returned, the latter in better spirits.
"I heard that there's a spirit problem! Ty Mai, maybe you could do some Avatar spirit magic and fix the river spirit!" Kota suggested. Azula's mood immediately soured. Ty Lee looked at Azula. For once, Ty Lee shared Azula's wariness.
"I already told Tonaq I don't think that is a good idea. We should find an inn, I can pay for our rooms. Good rest is important to keep us sharp." Kota shrugged and brushed his shaggy bangs from his eyes.
"Well, we need to cross that river somehow."
"We're working on it." Azula ground out, scanning the map. "There." Her finger landed on a small patch separate from the river, and she read the characters aloud. "Gaipan Village. It's right on the water."
"It's far away." Tonaq began, "But it is the only village on the water. At least, the only village on the map."
"Let's stick to the riverbank when we travel. If there's another town, we can try our luck there or hopefully spot a fishing boat on the way. Either way, we ride for Senlin Village after dawn." Tonaq and Kota nodded. Azula led the three into town to a serviceable inn, buying two rooms, one for her and Ty Lee and one for Kota and Tonaq.
Azula slid the door shut behind her while Ty Lee jumped onto the bed, claiming the side away from the window. In no mood to talk, Azula laid her things on the floor next to the bed and extinguished the lantern, climbing under the sheet. The woman's words replayed in her head over and over.
An Avatar who has fallen far from the balanced ideal she represents.
Your spirit and the avatars are not aligned; your goals are not shared. You need a reason to pick up the mantle of the Avatar.
You are not ready. Your spirit is not in tune with that of the Avatar.
She rolled around, trying to get comfortable.
"Are the rest of the water tribespeople like Kota and Tonaq?" Ty Lee asked.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, they seem like brothers. Even though they aren't."
"Yes, then. They are all very close. It's sickening." Azula heard Ty Lee snort.
"I think it's cute. It reminds me of the circus. Everyone there was like one big family with lots of drama but even more love for each other. It felt so different from my family." Azula heard Ty Lee roll onto her side. Her shape, ambiguous in the dark, twisted. "Must be nice to be a part of their family."
Azula stiffened, reigning in the instinctual reprimand that clawed to her lips. She supposed the southern water tribes warriors were one big family - only if you excluded her. She was like a dragon among wolves, unable to coexist in peace. Anyway, their camaraderie was something that didn't interest her. However, the warriors forged bonds with each other that felt more like family, a brotherhood even, than Azula's own. She wanted that and wished it for herself so severely that she imagined her family sitting at the table on sleepless nights, smiling are those peasants more satisfied coming from their frozen, barren wasteland of a home than the Fire Nation's Royal Family? Something simmered under the surface at the thought, and her hands clenched the sheet tightly.
In another life, maybe she wouldn't have cared. Another life where she was more like Father and less tainted by Uncle's idealism. But she wasn't, so she wondered. What would her family be like without the things that tore them apart? No favoritism, no secrets, and no actual animosity. She knew it would never be perfect, but it would be better than it had become. Azula's family was a web of spiders trying to trap what they wanted. Mother and Uncle wanted Zuko. Zuko wanted Mother and Father. Zuko and Uncle wanted the Avatar. Father wanted power and the throne. No one wanted her, especially not now. She was a broken thing, and who wanted a broken toy? A traitorous Avatar or a weapon to be wielded for her Father. A monster to her always loved Zuzu , hot and enveloping, surged through her. Her hands tightened to fists on the sheet, tearing tiny fibers apart.
Azula sensed Ty Lee's searching gaze in the dark. The relief and familiarity of Ty Lee's presence was a double-edged sword. Ty Lee understood Azula's ticks, knew her past, and read her aura - whatever that meant. At the very least, it meant that Ty Lee knew when something bothered Azula.
"I am not a part of their family." Azula finally said, her voice cold as ice.
"Oh." Ty Le shifted closer, and Azula could faintly smell her. Her muscles relaxed, if only a little. "Well, I think they care about you. You shouldn't be so mean to Kota. He worries about you." Azula huffed and grabbed her own arms, curling up.
"He's an idiot, then. I'm only using them as a means to find an airbending teacher. I couldn't care less what they think about me."He needed to do more than whisper to Ty Lee if he wanted her forgiveness.
After a moment of quiet Ty lee's voice asked her, "Are you okay? Your aura is... green and red."
"I'm fine." Azula curled further into herself. "Why do you care anyway?" Ty Lee's hand prodded her under the sheets gently.
"I care because... you're my friend. 'Zula. You ... You seem different. There's clearly a lot bothering you... I know the Avatar is supposed to bring balance... and.." Ty Lee trailed off.
word made every muscle in her body tighten. Bring balance to me. Bring balance to the Firenation. Bring balance to the world. Try to balance too many things, and you might find yourself tipping over. Azula already felt like her world was spinning out of control.
"Do you think I am out of balance like that old crone said?" Azula failed to impose that regal tone from her days at the palace. Her question came out mousy and depressed. The sheets shifted in the following silence. Azula wondered if Ty Lee had fallen asleep. Her soft voice whispered in the dark.
"I think that if you are, I understand why." Ty Lee finally said, before yawning. "I don't know if I want to be a traitor." She confessed, a sleepy lilt in her voice.
"Well, maybe we don't have to be," Azula said, feeling Ty Lee's fingers curl around hers. The false promise tasted like ash, but Ty Lee squeezed her hand anyway. The last person who comforted her like this was Zuko when the thunder scared her all those years ago. Father had put an end to that. Maybe that was where she and Zuko had grown apart and their family split. Azula didn't know anymore. She was tired. Very tired.
You need a reason to pick up the mantle of the Avatar.
Azula fell asleep.
Zuko looked at the town - or what was left of it. A handful of men and women worked on blackened buildings and collapsed rooftops. Some chipped away at upended stones in the streets. Zuko wondered where the Earthbenders were to get rid of the mess. Indeed, it would make this cleanup easier. However, he immediately noticed one thing. For every Earth Kingdom citizen, there were at least five uniformed firebenders at the ready, asking questions, patrolling, or otherwise keeping watch. Zuko looked at Iroh, who looked at the town in wonder.
His Uncle had been rather unhelpful, to say the least. Borderline uncooperative, Zuko thought. While he'd wanted to sail with haste for the town to investigate, Iroh had forced a delay. Some excuse about not having enough food. Sure enough, the cook backed him up. Zuko wassure there had been enough food two days prior but grudgingly agreed, so long as the stop had been quick.
He'd followed his Uncle to another strange place, an embroidery shop. Zuko had been furious, to say the least, but his Uncle advised him to wait outside. The other men were buying food, and he would be quick. Zuko lingered long enough to catch who wishes to eat- Zuko had missed a portion because of rowdy travelers - opens wide to those who know her secrets. And with that, Iroh was led into a backroom, and Zuko left to kick dirt on the street. Let those old gasbags do whatever it is they do. He had thought. Soon, I'll be hunting the Avatar. However, a small part of him whispered that he was never that lucky. Only Azula was that lucky. Experience told Zuko he would have to struggle and fight to go home. So be it. Adversity was an old friend of Zuko's. They knew each other well. He rubbed his scar, only able to feel the rough, healing skin with his fingers. Too well.
Uncle's side stop had delayed them. They would have arrived a day before the summer solstice; now they were four, nearly five days late. However, at least he was onto a lead, and so early in his journey. He looked at the firebenders who flanked him. Some of Uncle's volunteers who served under him in Ba-Sing-Se. He still had yet to learn their names. So, instead, he said, "You two, go and find out what happened here from anyone in the town willing to talk." They exchanged glances before bowing and walking down the street toward what remained of the open-air shops.
"What will you do, Prince Zuko?" Uncle's eyes followed him now as he walked forward and brushed his fingers along dark scorch marks in the ground. What would Azula do? She would threaten to burn the village down for answers. Zuko looked around, at the sad state of the town. That seemed like the wrong path to take.
"I want to find out what happened to the men who were attacked." He said.
"I suppose that is a good place to start." Uncle looked around. "There is a fire nation banner over the Pagoda. Perhaps someone there can point you in the right direction." Zuko had half a mind to ignore the advice, but rose anyway, marching down the street, stridently ignoring the side glances, whispers, and outright gaping at his scar. The street seemed longer now, and each step felt like trudging through looking at me! The base of his neck heated and he wanted to swipe a wave of fire at them, if only to make them look away. Finally, he reached the door and opened it with a slam.
The halberds and spears butts scraped against wooden the wooden floor. A captain, by the decor on his breastplate, rose from his chair, face reddening, "I've already told you people if you wish to." Zuko leveled a glare at him, and the spears pointed at him. Vaguely, he wondered if his glare looked odd with the singular eyebrow, or more intimidating because of the scar. Uncle cleared his throat.
"Prince Zuko of the Royal Family has come to investigate the rumors of the Avatar." He introduced, starting off the conversation. The Captain sat back down and waved his guards at ease.
"You and everyone on this side of the world. The Rough Rhinos came through here... roughly. I had to explain the situation to them to stop them from burning the town down. They're out hunting her as we speak."Her? Zuko blinked.
"The Rough Rhino's were here? Colonel Mongke still leads them?" Iroh asked cautiously.
"That's correct, General Iroh."
"They make a wonderful singing group," Iroh said offhandedly, now distracted and scratching his chin. Zuko stepped forward.
"Forgive the intrusion. Perhaps we can start over." He tried diplomatically. Fortunately, the Captain's mouth quirked into a half smile.
"Of course. I apologize as well; I wasn't aware of the... Prince would be visiting. I'm Captain Yao. I'm replacing Captain Zhun to command the garrison here." He cleared his throat. "What would you like to know about the attack?" Zuko forced a breath through his nose and straightened his were stillborn a Prince of the Fire Nation. It's time to act like one.
"I would like to speak with the men wounded by the Avatar. See what they remember." Zuko said. The Captain steepled his fingers and leaned forward with a grimace.
"That is going to prove difficult." Zuko raised his good brow.
"Why is that?"
"Most of them are unable to speak. The ones who survived, at least." Zuko's eye widened. The Captain inclined his head. "I assumed you were unaware of this. The Rough Rhino's were as well." He let out a heavy sigh. "Rather than tell the same story twice, I can have a copy of the official report brought to you." His eyes flickered to Zuko's scar, then awkwardly focused somewhere on Zuko's armor. Zuko swallowed.
"Yes, thank you. That would be ideal." The room fell silent. Zuko shuffled his feet, Komodo Rhino boots squeaking on the floor. Iroh winced. The guards gazed beyond them at the wall, unmoving.
"Are you staying in the village for the night, Prince Zuko?' The Captain ventured.
"Uh, no. I think I will return to the Wani." At the Captain's curious look, he elaborated. "My ship... that I've been traveling on."Banished. He meant to say, but the word still tasted rotten on his tongue.
"Right. Well... It will take some time for my lieutenant to copy the original." Zuko understood then.
"Ah, yes, of course. Thank you again, Captain. I'll be leaving now. We are docked south of here at the Navy outpost. You can see the prison from it." The Captain nodded wordlessly, rising to bow, which Zuko reciprocated, leaving in a hurry. Iroh and Zuko observed the streets again. The stares were no less irritating the second time, but Zuko found it easier to focus on other things.
"I hope this report tells us something useful," Zuko said. "I finally feel like we're making progress, Uncle!" Iroh was silent, only looking ahead. "Uncle?"
His Uncle was startled as if woken from a nap. Zuko felt his scowl return. "Huh? Oh, yes, progress, Prince Zuko. Progress is certainly a good thing." It didn't sound like it, but perhaps Uncle was just tired. They had been walking since midday, after all. As they passed the threshold of the village, the sounds of clanking metal armor from behind startled them. Zuko pivoted quickly but lowered his hands from their defensive stance. His Uncle's men returned, pressing their hands to their knees and hunched over. They looked to Uncle instead of him, and Zuko frowned.
"What did you find out?" He asked, crossing his arms over his chest.
"The girl-" The one on the left began, huffing in short breaths, "They are saying the Avatar was a young girl."A young girl? How odd. Zuko's stomach dropped. A false lead. If only he had just ignored his gut and kept sailing for Ba-Sing-Se-
The other one stepped forward. "They said she had blue fire. They all said the same thing." Zuko's blood ran cold, and his throat suddenly felt parched. When was the last time he'd drank water?
"Blue fire?" He this a dream?The only person he knew with blue fire... was Azula. No. No, no, no. Anyone but hadn't seen her since before his Agni Kai. This is impossible. Why am I even considering this? His head spun, and he felt sick. He looked for a bush, or someplace he could walk behind to lose his stomach with dignity. There'sno felt his Uncle's steadying hand on his shoulder and the concerned gaze on the side of his face, but his vision was tunneled on the burnt town before them.
"Nephew?" Uncle's voice had a tone he'd not heard before. Zuko shook his head. It can't ? The Avatar? Get a hold of yourself.
"Blue fire? What else?" He repeated, forcing the words out, ignoring his Uncle.
"Yes, Blue fire. The witnesses said the girl was... young, pale, and of black hair." His eyes flickered to Iroh, now seeming nervous. "Gold eyes like the sun, one of the shopkeepers said. Spoke to her right before it happened." Zuko closed his eye, imaging Azula's face: her taunting, sly smile, her head angled up as she looked down on him, and the malicious gleam twinkling in her eye as she watched him can't be her. It has to be anyone but her.
"What did she do?"
"She was with two young men from the water tribe. They told me it all happened so fast, and they fled when the fighting started. But everyone who watched from safety said the same thing. Her eyes turned white, and she whipped up a storm of earth, wind, and fire. Our men... didn't stand a chance." Zuko's hand found his mouth, and he steadied his breathing. His head pounded, and he wanted water.
"We're returning to the ship... immediately." He turned around, marching back the way they came, stubbornly ignoring Iroh's eyes. "I need to ." He would wait for the official report, and then... and then... He would sort this out. One way or another. Zuko locked himself in his room that evening, ignoring his responsibilities on the ship. Uncle could handle it, as far as he was concerned. After spending an uncertain amount of time staring at the metal ceiling, he opened a chest, lit the candles Uncle had provided him, and tried to focus on controlling the flame for the rest of the .He reminded sister is not the can have blue fire. Right?The flames flared and flickered, and he calmed himself once .The Avatar is probably in Ba-Sing-Se. The townspeople were .Could all of them be mistaken?The candles roared -A knock on the door startled him, breaking his focus.
Uncle's voice echoed from the other side. "Prince Zuko, I have the report you asked for." There was a pause. Zuko considered pretending to be asleep, then, "I'm worried about you. A man shouldn't isolate himself in times of trouble. You've been locked up in your room for-" Zuko rose, quickly opened the door, snatched the scroll, and slammed it back shut. His heart pounded in his chest, and his sweaty palms broke the wax fire symbol on the scroll. He unrolled it slowly, and his eye scanned it line by line, widening with each paragraph. As he read the last section, candleflame soared to the ceiling somewhere in the back of the room, scorching the walls, chest, and Fire Nation tapestry. Zuko sank to his knees and dropped the scroll with a cry of disbelief.
He heard his sister's laugh and remembered what she used to tell him when they were kids, playing hot tag in the gardens with Ty Lee and Mai:Catch me if you can, hands scorched the scroll until it turned to ash. crawled into his bed, letting the dizziness and sickening feeling disappear.I'll wake up, and this will all be a bad dream.