N/A: Hello everyone, Jkalex is back! And he's back in a great mood! I passed my midterms, had a few days off, and best of all, I'm done with my toxic girlfriend! God, that woman was like a parasite that made my life miserable.

To the women reading my story, I urge you not to be toxic to your couple. Be more confident.

Anyway, you're not here to be my scumbags by listening to my bullshit, that's what my friends are here for. You're here to read what I write, so that's what I'm going to give you.

Now to answer some questions and critiques from the previous chapter:

Ltbutterfly287: Before Ozai assumed his position as Fire Lord, he spent some time with his children, but when Azula began to demonstrate her prodigious firebending skills, he clearly favored her and constantly disparaged Zuko at the slightest opportunity (all mentioned in the show and comics). Zuko has lived under verbal and psychological abuse from his father since he was a child, and in the comics you could see how that clearly affected him, the only solace being his mother, which made Azula jealous.

And as far as Percy is concerned, I clearly mentioned that even though he is the main character, the story will not just revolve around him. The other characters, like Zuko and Azula, just because they are not the main characters does not mean that they are less important. They are key characters in the story I want to develop.

namer1: I'm glad you noticed that. I wanted to capture the favoritism that Ursa and Ozai have for their children. Ursa subconsciously favors Zuko over Azula. And Ozai, of course, has always favored Azula over Zuko.

DHR: The real question is, does Azula deserve a path of redemption like Zuko had? She is an excellent character and an excellent villain. Nobody can argue with that. To give her a path of redemption would go against the very nature of her character, since she never showed remorse for her actions, but... This is fanfic, right? And I've always believed that if you know how to build a solid foundation, you can go in any direction you want.

ultima-owner: Indeed, my dear, everyone in the royal family is toxic, or has been at some point in history. The only one saved from that label, I believe, is beloved Uncle Iroh.

I hope you enjoy this story so far. You should thank elzerocrack and Silas-the-Sith 05, creators of two of my favorite ATLA crossover fics and my main inspiration for this story. I don't know who you guys are, but a non-gay hug for you.

Anyway, without further ado... Let's go!

Chapter 3

The the Fire Nation Capital

Percy

No matter where he looked, all Percy could see were large swaths of land covered in ice and snow.

Snow-capped mountains loomed on the horizon, and behind him, he could see the sea stretching as far as the eye could see, filled with icebergs and blocks of ice the size of houses.

Though he had never been there, Percy had read about it in school. He knew that what he saw was the habitat of the Water Tribe, though he didn't know if it was the North or South Pole.

'But... How can I see this?' Percy thought, feeling confused, 'I've never been here before.'

He knew that for certain. Just like he knew for sure that he was dreaming. After all, he was floating several meters above the ground. He could not see his own body, though he could feel the snow falling from the sky and the cold air blowing across the icy wasteland.

There was one point in the landscape that caught his attention. In the distance, he could see what appeared to be a small village in the middle of the tundra. A wall of ice about 16 feet high surrounded a cluster of tents made of animal skins and dozens of igloos.

As Percy approached, he could see people swarming around the place. They wore thick animal skins to protect them from the cold, and all shared the same dark complexion that characterized the Water Tribe people. The men were carrying nets of fish and the women were weaving skins. There were even children playing happily in the snow.

It seemed to be a simple, quiet village.

Percy watched as a couple of children, a boy and a girl about his age, played in the snow, laughing and throwing snowballs at each other.

It was then that the white snow falling from the sky turned black. Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked up at the sky, and their previously calm and happy expressions changed to one of growing fear and concern.

The little girl, who had been happily playing in the snow, looked at the boy anxiously.

"I'm going to find mom," she said, frightened.

She ran through the village toward one of the igloos, her young face reflecting her growing panic.

From above, Percy watched as several iron ships approached from the sea and came ashore, shattering the ice in their wake until they came to a halt. The ramps came down and dozens of soldiers stepped off. Judging by their black and red uniforms, they were Fire Nation soldiers.

The members of the Water Tribe did not hesitate to grab their bony spears and swords and set out to repel the invaders and protect their homeland.

Percy woke up, slightly confused by the dream he had just had.

'It was a dream, wasn't it? It looked so... real.'

He gave a loud yawn as he stirred and settled into a more comfortable position at the foot of a tree in the garden, putting his arms behind his head and enjoying the warm, pleasant breeze.

"Slacking off again, Percy?"

Percy gasped slightly and looked up to see his father hovering over him with a raised eyebrow. His hands were behind his back, holding his sheathed sword, giving him a somewhat imposing appearance.

"Hey, dad," he said, "I was just... taking a little break."

"Your break was 15 minutes, not an hour."

Percy chuckled nervously as he scratched the back of his head.

"Well, it just started blowing a nice breeze, and being in the shade of the tree was too comfortable. So... I fell asleep."

Piandao shook his head with a sigh, knowing that this wasn't the first time he found Percy sleeping during training. And it probably wouldn't be the last.

"Have you finished the katas?" he asked.

Percy stood up, dusted off his Qi Pao, which was identical to the one his father wore, and picked up his sheathed sword that lay at the foot of the tree.

"Yes. I don't understand why you make me do the same katas over and over again, dad."

"As an old friend of mine used to say, in order to master the intricacies of the art of the sword, you must first master discipline. Only through discipline will you be able to build a solid foundation from which you can develop something more complex. Something unique."

"That's why you didn't teach me how to use the sword like you do," Percy said. "You didn't teach me your moves."

Piandao nodded.

"Exactly. My moves are for a grown man, you're still a child."

"I see..."

"Besides, I feel that if I taught you my style, I would be limiting myself greatly," Piandao added to Percy's surprise. "That's why I put so much emphasis on you mastering the katas. That way, you would have the tools to create a style that best suits you. Mastering the basics is the first step in developing your own style. And you will only achieve that through discipline."

Percy nodded slowly in understanding. Now he understood why his dad had spent a whole year teaching him only the basic ways of a swordsman. Whether it was the correct way to wield a sword or how to position his body to have the correct stance during attack, counterattack and defense. Hell, he had even taught him how to breathe.

"Good. Now back to your training."

"Again with the katas?" Percy asked, sounding a bit discouraged.

Although he understood why his dad made him do those exercises, that didn't mean he didn't find them boring.

To his surprise, Piandao shook his head.

"No. Now you will have a training match. I can teach you the basic moves of the sword art, but it's up to you to know how to use them. And the best way to do that is through combat."

Percy looked around the garden.

"But... Fat is not here. And I've already defeated him many times."

A cryptic smile formed on Piandao's lips.

"I know. You proved that you've surpassed Fat months ago" he brought out his sword and began to draw it. "Therefore, I will be your opponent from now on."

"Will we be using real swords?" Percy asked, looking at his dad's sword.

"This is a blunt sword, just like yours," Piandao explained. "Get ready, my son. Because I don't intend to make it easy for you."

An excited smile formed on Percy's lips. It was the first time since he started training that he would have a fight with his dad.

"Are you sure?" he asked, also drawing his dull sword, "I don't want you to overexert yourself and hurt your hip, old man."

"I'm still young enough to teach a child like you a lesson or two," Piandao replied, adopting a posture. "Let's make this interesting. The first to give five blows chooses dinner."

Percy smiled and struck a posture of his own.

"I hope you like komodo chicken."

Piandao laughed in amusement.

They both looked at each other carefully, analyzing each other's posture. In Percy's eyes, his father's stance was perfect. He could not see any opening to attack through, and he had a feeling that if he attacked rashly, his father would defeat him in a single move.

"Very good, Percy," Piandao said, "Don't attack too hastily. A swordsman must fight with patience and a cool mind. Unlike a fight between benders, fights between those who wield a weapon are fleeting. A single strike can mean the difference between victory and defeat."

Percy nodded without looking away from his father or relaxing his stance.

"Master Piandao!"

Piandao and Percy turned around to see Fat approaching them quickly, concern written all over his face.

"Fat, what's wrong?" Piandao asked, relaxing his posture.

Fat took a few seconds to catch his breath before reaching into his sleeve and pulling out a rolled scroll.

"A messenger hawk has just arrived. The letter... has the emblem of the Royal Family on it."

A grim expression graced Piandao's face as he took the rolled scroll and read it.

"Dad, why would someone from the Royal Family send you a letter?" Percy asked.

When he finished reading, Piandao rolled up the letter again and looked at Percy seriously.

"The Fire Lord Azulon has summoned me to the capital. The time has come to pay my debt."

"Your father was summoned by the Fire Lord?!"

The surprise and excitement was evident in Lee's voice as he hovered over the table to glare at Percy.

"Keep your voice down, you moron!" Hana scolded, slapping him on the shoulder, "Do you want the whole town to know?"

"They're all going to find out sooner or later anyway," Lee replied quietly as he rubbed his shoulder.

Percy, Lee, and Hana were at one of the town's food stalls, which was Percy and Lee's favorite place to eat. Oddly enough, Hana's family owned the place, so they were welcome because they were Hana's friends. It had been their hangout since Percy had been expelled from the academy a year ago.

"So it's true," said a man who approached the three of them with a plate of onigiri. "Master Piandao is going to the capital by order of the Fire Lord."

"Father," Hana said in surprise, "How do you know that?"

"Your friend is not very discreet," Hana's father said as he nodded his head at Lee.

Hana shot an annoyed look at Lee, who shrank back in his seat as he grabbed one of the onigiri and took a nervous bite.

Hana's father laughed in amusement at the sight.

"The real question is, why would the Fire Lord summon master Piandao to the capital?" Hana asked, grabbing one of the onigiri and taking a bite.

"If the Fire Lord summoned master Piandao, it must be because he recognizes his value," her father said.

"Do you know something, Percy?" Lee asked.

"Dad told me he owed the Fire Lord a debt," Percy replied, looking a little overwhelmed as he stared at the plate of onigiri. For some reason, he wasn't hungry. "He said he was going to the Fire Nation's capital and didn't know when he would be back..."

Lee and Hana looked at Percy worriedly.

"You... Are you going with him?" Lee asked.

Percy looked at him, confused.

"Huh?"

"You heard me! You are going to the capital of the Fire Nation with your father? It's a unique opportunity! You'll get to meet the Royal Family! Maybe you can even train being a member of the Royal Procession."

"Lee, I'm not a firebender," Percy reminded him. "Only firebenders are members of the Royal Procession."

"Pff, so what? You trained for a year under the tutelage of the Fire Nation's greatest swordsman. The Royal Family will recognize your bravery."

Despite Lee's firm statement, Percy didn't look entirely convinced.

"Leaving aside the delusions of this fool, it's not a bad idea," Hana commented. "If you go with your father, you can still train with him."

Percy considered the idea. If he accompanied his dad to the capital, he would have to leave Shu Jin, his home, and his friends.

"But... What about you?" he asked.

Hana rolled her eyes.

"We will still be here when you return, you fool."

"Hana's right, Percy," Lee agreed. "Not about the fool thing, but about the other thing. We'll still be here. And you always wanted to be a great swordsman, didn't you? If you stay here, your father won't be able to teach you anymore. You have to go."

"This is your chance, boy," Hana's father said. "If you want something badly enough, you have to be willing to go for it."

"Yeah!" Lee agreed excitedly, "And when you come back, you'll be a master swordsman, and I'll be a master of firebending!"

Hana rolled her eyes.

"Maybe if you lost a few pounds and put more priority on your training, you'd be a more competent firebender," she said, poking Lee in the stomach and making him wince.

"I need to eat to have energy..." he defended weakly.

"Well, you have excess energy!"

Although Lee had started training as a firebender for his family a year ago, he had not lost much weight because he had not changed his eating habits.

Hana scolded Lee as he grabbed another onigiri and popped it into his mouth. It was strange how a year ago, she had harassed and bullied them at the academy, and now she had become their friend.

Percy couldn't help himself and chuckled, drawing the attention of Hana and Lee, who stopped fighting and looked at him strangely.

"Thanks, guys," he said sincerely.

They looked at him in confusion for a few seconds, but then smiled.

That evening, at dinner, everything was normal. Fat had prepared Komodo chicken, and the three of them ate in quiet, light conversation.

It was then that Percy asked that had been on his mind all day:

"Dad, when are you leaving?"

Piandao paused to lift a bowl of rice to his mouth and put the chopsticks over the bowl.

"Tomorrow," he replied, "I have to leave as soon as possible. Fire Lord Azulon is not known for his patience."

"Do you know why he summoned you?" Percy asked doubtfully.

"Yes. He did so with the intention that I train a select group of people in the art of the sword. Fire Lord Azulon's intention is to create an elite group of swordsmen."

"What?! He's going to force you to teach? He can't do that... Can he?"

"The Fire Lord has all the authority to order his citizens to do anything he deems necessary for the good of the nation," Fat said. "And we, the citizens, have the duty to carry out those orders for the good of our nation."

"And the order to form a group of elite swordsmen will make the army stronger," Percy agreed.

Piandao nodded.

"The Fire Lord must be planning to use this group of elite swordsmen to invade the Water Tribes, where the firebenders are at a great disadvantage against the waterbenders."

"The Water Tribes..."

Percy thought about the dream he had of the Fire Nation invading that small Water Tribe village. He also thought about himself and his abilities.

'What was that dream? Some kind of... Premonition?'

He shook his head. That sounded ridiculous, even to his mind. Now he had to concentrate on something else.

"Dad," he spoke seriously, "I want to go with you."

Piandao was not surprised by his request.

"I had a feeling you would say that eventually," he said. "Are you sure, my son? In order to train this group of swordsmen, I will have to move to the capital of the Fire Nation and live there for several years. Life in the capital will be very different from the life we have here in Shu Jin."

"I know. But if you go, I will go with you. I have already decided."

There were a few seconds of silence before Piandao asked:

"Why?"

"Because I want to be a great swordsman," Percy said with conviction. "I want to surpass you, and the only way I can do that is if you teach me. If I have to go to the capital of the Fire Nation, I'll do it."

Piandao stared at Percy as if to gauge his resolve. Percy held his gaze. He knew what he wanted and would not be swayed by this small inconvenience.

"Do you think this is the right path?" Piandao asked. "Leave your home and friends behind for your ambition."

"I... I don't know," Percy admitted. "But it's the decision I made."

"The right path is always the hardest to follow..." Piandao had a glazed look on his face for a few seconds, as if he was remembering something that happened a long time ago. "Very well, Percy. If that is the decision you have made, as your father and teacher, I will support you."

A broad smile appeared on Percy's face.

"Thank you, dad."

Dinner passed quietly after that. Like every night Percy remembered, he dined in the company of Piandao and Fat, his family.

The next morning, Percy helped his father and Fat carry the supplies they would need for the boat trip to the Fire Nation capital.

"Aren't you coming with us?" Percy asked Fat in surprise.

Fat shook his head.

"Someone has to stay behind to guard the castle. And as master Piandao's butler, it is my duty to do so."

Percy felt a little annoyed. He would have liked Fat to accompany them as well. The man had been a constant support throughout his life. More than just a butler, Percy thought of Fat as an uncle. It would be strange not to be able to count on him again.

"Don't worry, young Perseus," Fat said with an uncharacteristically reassuring smile. "When you and master Piandao return, everything will be the same. It will be the three of us again, as it has always been."

Percy felt better at Fat's reassuring words and nodded with a smile.

"I will miss your onigiris."

Fat laughed.

"I will prepare many more when you return, young master."

When they arrived at the dock, Percy was surprised to see many townspeople waiting for them. He recognized Mr. Inari, the village farmer. Mrs. Dishi, the owner of the grocery store where he always bought his groceries. Mr. Norio, the fisherman who always sold them his best fish. Even Hana and Lee had come with their families. There were many more people, and Percy knew them all. They were people he saw every day and they always greeted him.

"Everyone... What are you all doing here?" Piandao asked, confused.

"Obviously, we have come to say goodbye to the most famous person in our village."

A man stepped forward. He was a bald adult with a bushy gray beard and a friendly smile. Percy recognized him as Mr. Bao, the owner of the gun shop.

"Bao..." Piandao said. " What are you talking about?"

"Don't be modest, master Piandao. We must give recognition to those who have earned it. This is the belief of our nation. It has been more than twelve years since you came to Shu Jin. Our village was small, modest, and not very prosperous. Merchants did not come to this part of the Fire Islands to trade. But when you settled in the abandoned castle on the cliff and set up your forge, our village grew because of the quality of your creations. Masters, craftsmen, carpenters, farmers... they were all drawn to the potential of our humble village. Now we enjoy education for our children, houses for our families, and fields for the whole village. We have become a prosperous village. And all because of you, master Piandao. I know it's not much, but accept it as a gift from the whole village."

Bao handed him a cylindrical object wrapped in cloth. When he opened it, Piandao's eyes widened when he saw an elaborate bronze sword scabbard lined with leather. The wedge of the scabbard, which appeared to be made of polished bronze, had the intricate shape of a dragon whose body wrapped around the entire scabbard.

"It fits perfectly," Piandao commented, placing his sword in its new sheath. "How did you know the dimensions of my sword?"

"I gave them to you, master," Fat said. "When you received the letter yesterday, I had Mr. Bao make a special scabbard for your sword. You will go to the capital to stand before the Fire Lord. You must make an appearance worthy of your title, the best swordsman in the Fire Nation."

It was the first time Percy had seen his father look completely stunned. All the people who had come had done so with the intention of saying goodbye to him and presenting him with a truly impressive scabbard for his sword.

Percy felt a sense of warmth and pride fill his heart to see his father so recognized and respected by all the people of Shu Jin.

"I thank you all," Piandao said solemnly as he bowed in respect to all the villagers present. "You honor me with this gift."

As his father bade farewell to all who had come, Percy approached Lee and Hana who were waiting for him at the edge of the dock.

As he stood before them, Lee looked on the verge of tears.

"Percy... You... You're coming back, aren't you?" he stammered between sobs.

"Of course I will, buddy," Percy smiled. "When dad finishes what he has to do, I'll be back. It might take a few years, but I'll be back. I promise."

Lee rubbed his nose and pulled himself together.

"It's... It's okay. When you come back, I'll be a great firebender! You'll see! You'd better be a great swordsman, too."

Percy nodded.

"I will."

He reached out to shake Lee's hand, but he certainly wasn't expecting a hug with the strength of a platypus bear.

"I'm really going to miss you."

Percy patted his back.

"Me too, buddy."

When Lee finally released him, Percy turned to Hana, who crossed her arms and looked away.

"Hey..." Percy said, sounding a little uncomfortable. "I know we were never great friends, but... thanks for coming."

"Lee insisted on it," Hana replied. "He acted like you weren't coming back. But you will... Won't you?"

She looked at him sideways, expectantly.

"Of course I will. I promise," Percy held out his hand. "See you next time."

Hana looked at his outstretched hand for a few seconds, hesitantly. Percy thought she wouldn't shake it and started to put it down, but was surprised when Hana grabbed him and hugged him tightly.

"Come back safe, you fool," she muttered under her breath.

Percy stood still for a moment, Hana had never shown this kind of affection before. Before he could return the hug, she pushed him away.

"Now get out of here before I throw you in the boat myself," she muttered, crossing her arms and turning her back to him.

If he was confused before, he was even more so now. Percy just accepted it as one of Hana's quirks.

He walked over to the ship docked at the end of the pier and was stunned at the sight. It was the first time he had seen a ship made entirely of metal. The ship's pointy bow was lowered to form a ramp leading to the deck where a tall conning tower and the bridge stood, with two tall funnels behind them.

On either side of the ramp stood a dozen soldiers dressed in military uniforms consisting of breastplates, chests, bracers, and shoulder pads. Most striking, however, were their helmets, which featured a flame-shaped crest and a skull-shaped faceplate.

As Percy approached to climb up the ramp onto the ship, one of the soldiers stood in his way.

"Hey, kid, what do you think you're doing?" the soldier asked.

Percy raised an eyebrow as he looked at him.

"Isn't it obvious? I'm getting on the ship."

"This is a war cruiser, not a tourist ship."

"Yeah, I figured that out myself."

"Insolent brat. Get off before I call your parents."

"Is there a problem with my son, officer?"

"M-Master Piandao!" The soldier muttered when he saw Piandao approaching. Quickly, he bowed deeply. "It is an honor to have you aboard our ship, sir. You and your... Wait... Your son?"

"That is correct," Piandao nodded and placed a hand on Percy's shoulder. "This boy is my son Perseus. He will accompany me on my journey and stay in the capital."

"So you had a son after your defection," a new voice said. "I certainly did not expect this."

Percy saw a man approaching. He wore the same military uniform as the other soldiers, although he had some slight modifications to show his higher rank. He had no helmet, leaving his dark brown hair slicked back in a bun and his prominent sideburns visible.

"Lieutenant Zhao," Piandao acknowledged with a slight nod, "It's been a while since we've seen each other."

"Captain Zhao," the man corrected smugly, "I was promoted to Captain five years ago. You missed a lot after your defection, Piandao."

Zhao's amber eyes flashed with disdain as he looked at him. Unlike his subordinates, he clearly felt no appreciation or respect for Piandao.

"Of course I do," Piandao replied calmly, unaffected by the captain's gaze. "I must assume that you are here to escort me to the capital."

Zhao narrowed his eyes in annoyance.

"Fire Lord Azulon has ordered me to bring you to the capital as soon as possible. Apparently, he can see that you might still be useful to the Fire Nation. Despite your questionable loyalty."

"Then let's not waste any time, Captain," Piandao said, still with his hand on Percy's shoulder, leading him up the ramp. "We have a long way to go to the capital."

Percy looked over his shoulder and saw Zhao give Piandao a scornful look before he snorted and ordered the soldiers to prepare to sail.

"Do you know him, dad?" Percy asked.

"I met Captain Zhao when he was a student of Ex-Admiral Jeong Jeong, an old friend of mine," Piandao explained. "At that time, Zhao was a young man who, while promising and talented, lacked the discipline to master the art of firebending. And apparently, that hasn't changed in all these years."

As Percy stepped onto the ramp to board the ship, the waves began to churn. A fresh sea breeze reached him, carrying with it the almost intoxicating smell of salt. As he reached the deck, the waves were pounding the hull fiercely, as if they wanted to tear it away from the dock and drag it out to sea.

Percy had never been on a ship before, but he was able to understand how the battlecruiser worked. It was powered by the burning of coal, the energy from which drove the propellers under the stern, allowing the ship to move without relying on the wind or ocean currents.

It was a strange feeling. He knew it already, but he had never really thought about it. It was like breathing, in a way.

"Are you ready?" Piandao asked, pulling him out of his reverie as he came up beside him, and they looked at the people crowded on the dock, waiting for his departure.

Percy nodded and looked at Fat, Lee and Hana in the crowd.

The cruise ship honked loudly and smoke began to billow from the smokestacks, rising into the sky. Percy felt the cruise ship vibrate beneath his feet as it began to pull away from the dock, away from home.

His friends raised their hands and waved goodbye. He waved back, feeling a knot tighten in his chest as their figures disappeared into the horizon, drifting out to sea.

It has been a year since Percy began his training in what his dad called 'The Way of the Warrior'.

At first, Percy was excited. He had finally begun his long journey to become a great swordsman like his dad. He felt determined to surpass him. But that determination was tested countless times by his dad's dubious and unorthodox teaching methods.

There were lessons he learned quickly, such as treating his sword as an extension of his own body. Piandao had said that the sword was a simple tool, but in the hands of a master, it was the most versatile weapon of all. Like a man's imagination, it had no limits. The only downside to this lesson was that no matter what sword Percy wielded, they all seemed unbalanced to him.

When his dad said that a sword was an extension of one's body, Percy felt that he had a deformed arm. Every sword he used seemed either too heavy or too light.

The second lesson his dad tried to teach, emphasis on tried, was calligraphy. He claimed that a warrior must practice a variety of arts to keep his mind awake and alive. Piandao said that writing his name on paper stamped his identity on it, and that he should use the same principle with the sword, using it to stamp his identity on the battlefield.

The first time he tried to write his name on a piece of paper, Percy ended up spilling the entire ink pot on the table. He thought his identity was "making a mess.

Although he couldn't use calligraphy to clear his mind like his dad, he found an alternative in music. Piandao realized that music could eventually calm even the most agitated mind. So Percy used his dizi, a flute made of bamboo reeds, to calm his mind. He had become quite good at it and was considering obtaining scrolls to learn new songs.

The third lesson was strange, in Percy's opinion. His dad had taken him to a cliff with the intention of having him draw the landscape in front of him after only a few seconds of observation. Though his drawings looked, in Hana's words, like the scribbles of a person from a mental institution, Percy could capture the surrounding landscape with precision. He could remember where every mountain, waterfall, tree, and rock was after looking at it for just a few seconds. He had an excellent short-term memory, a quality his dad said was essential for a swordsman.

Luckily, his dad had now put that kind of training aside and only focused on him gaining as much combat experience as possible. And he was very focused on that part of the training.

"Don't let your guard down!" Piandao shouted as he swung his blunt sword downward at Percy's head.

He was able to parry the blow and barely deflect it. Seeing an opening, he attacked with an upward swing of his sword, but Piandao dodged it by stepping back, struck Percy's sword to knock him off balance, and then attacked again. Although Percy managed to dodge the blow just in time, his fragile stance caused him to stumble and fall to the ground. As he tried to get up, he found his dad's sword inches from his face.

"You are rushing to attack, and that affects the stability of your posture," said Piandao. "Remember, Percy. With a firm posture, no opponent can knock you down, even if he is bigger or stronger than you. Again."

Percy gritted his teeth and nodded, pushing through the fatigue to continue. They had trained for hours on the deck of the cruise ship, and even though he was short of breath from the hard training, he still felt energetic enough.

It was strange. Since boarding the ship in the morning, his body felt more alert than ever. His mind felt clear and calm. And with each deep breath, the fatigue seemed to fade.

The exchange of blows between master and apprentice began again. Though not overwhelmed by his opponent's strength, Percy felt his stance slip, and he found himself in an unfavorable position with each blow from his dad. The speed and fluidity with which Piandao attacked made it impossible for him to maintain a solid stance.

His little training had attracted the attention of the soldiers, who watched the confrontation between father and son with interest. Even Zhao watched the duel from the top of the command tower, pretending to stare at the horizon where the cruiser was headed.

"Your posture is too stiff," Piandao pointed out, attacking Percy's legs and forcing him back.

"You told me to keep a firm posture!" Percy retorted, parrying a thrust to his shoulder with his sword and responding with a lunge that was deflected.

"Firm, but not rigid," he corrected as their swords clashed, each struggling to overpower the other in strength as their blades quivered. "You must be flexible enough to shift your posture between attack and defense. And smart enough to know when to use each."

Piandao applied more force to his sword and broke Percy's posture, causing him to retreat.

"Calm your mind and control your body," Piandao said, taking an attack posture again. "Again."

'Being flexible yet firm...' Percy mused, not taking his eyes off his dad, 'Sounds easier said than done. What's supposed to be flexible, yet firm?'

Again, he didn't understand the analogies his dad was using. Still, he took a deep breath and tried to calm his fluttering heart. The fresh sea air cleared his mind and his body felt invigorated, ready to continue his training.

As the sun set over the horizon and the moon rose high in the dark, cloudless sky, Percy stood and looked out over the side of the cruiser at the vast ocean that stretched as far as his eyes could see. It had been several hours since he had finished training with his dad, but he still didn't feel tired. It was the first time he could remember staying up so late. He didn't even feel sleepy, which was strange to him because he was sleepy most of the day.

Strangely, he felt more comfortable on the cruise ship in the middle of the ocean than he had ever felt anywhere else. It filled him with an indescribable but pleasant feeling. Like a feeling of belonging. Everything was so... comfortable. From the waves crashing over the bow of the cruise ship to the salty sea breeze ruffling his hair. He had the feeling that even if he stayed awake until the sun broke over the horizon, he wouldn't feel tired.

"Percy?"

He turned to see Piandao approaching with a questioning look on his face.

"Dad... What's wrong?"

"What's wrong? It's after midnight, son, you should rest. Rest is as important as training... although I think you're overdoing it."

Percy chuckled. His dad wasn't wrong. It wasn't unusual for him to take many naps during the day or between training sessions.

"I'm not tired."

Piandao raised an eyebrow, skeptical.

"Oh, that's... unusual. Are you sure you're okay?"

Percy rolled his eyes.

"Yes, dad, I'm fine. I'm just not tired. In fact, I feel like I have too much energy."

"I see. Well, if that's the case, you could use that energy to train. You still need to master your posture" Percy groaned under his breath with slight exasperation. "Or maybe... you could do another kind of training."

The suggestive look his father gave him, along with the slight nod towards the ocean, was all Percy needed to know what he meant.

"No," was his flat reply, "I don't want to. Not after... what happened last time."

Percy remembered it too vividly. How his emotions had overwhelmed him, and in a single moment he had discovered what he was capable of. A moment he would never forget.

"Percy, I know you feel insecure about your other... talents," Piandao said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "But that doesn't mean you should reject them. It's part of who you are. And to reject them is to reject yourself."

Percy looked away, his lips forming a thin line. He didn't need his dad to tell him, he already knew.

"I'm sorry, dad, but I don't want to," he said, turning away from Piandao. "I'm going back to my cabin. Good night."

He left his dad behind, feeling strangely tired.

When his head hit the pillow, it didn't take him long to fall asleep.

Ever since he left the island of Shu Jing a day and a half ago, Percy knew he would see great things in the capital of the Fire Nation. But the Great Gates of Azulon were far beyond anything he could have imagined.

The entrance to the Fire Nation's capital was through a gulf, where a large statue of the Fire Lord Azulon stood in the center of the sea entrance, flanked on either side by two dragon statues perched on the landward headlands.

"Wow..."

Percy couldn't help but exclaim as he saw the huge statue looming over him. It was like a colossal vengeful spirit about to unleash its wrath on the cruiser it dwarfed with its immense size.

"Amazing, isn't it?" said one of the soldiers beside him, looking at the huge statue. "The statue of Fire Lord Azulon is one of our nation's many wonders. It has been considered a heritage of the Fire Nation since the day it was built over 50 years ago."

"How did they manage to build such a thing?" Percy asked.

The soldier turned to face him. His skull mask made him uncomfortable, and he wondered how well they could see with it on their heads.

"Good question, kid..."

"Soldiers, prepare to disembark when we dock!" Zhao yelled from the top of the conning tower.

"Finally, dry land," the soldier commented. "Although the journey was much shorter than I expected."

"Really?" Percy asked.

"Yeah, it took us 3 days to go to Shu Jin to look for master Piandao. On the other hand, it only took us a day and a half to return. I think the sea and the wind were in our favor."

The gulf gave way to a bay with a long wall between the land and the sea. In the middle of the wall, an arch rose above the sea, the place where the cruiser passed through to finally embark at one of the numerous ports along the island's coast.

As they disembarked, Percy was somewhat reluctant to leave the cruiser, as his brief experience at sea had been a pleasant one. Nevertheless, he did so to follow his dad, even though the air between them was a little uncomfortable after their conversation last night.

Once in the harbor, Percy looked around but found no capital city, only high stone walls that lined the entire coastline, flanked by watchtowers that gave way to a huge square that acted as a bottleneck to a high wall where an ornate barbican rose.

"I assume the city is beyond that wall," Percy said.

"Not exactly," replied Piandao. "Beyond that wall is the Harbor City, where most of the capital's citizens live. But the residence of the Royal Family and nobles is in the middle of that volcano in Hari Bulkan, also known as the Royal Caldera City."

He pointed to the volcano in the distance.

Percy looked at his dad in disbelief.

"You are joking, right?"

Judging by Piandao's expression, he wasn't joking.

Fortunately, they didn't have to walk all the way to the top of the volcano. When they arrived at the so-called Royal Plaza, a carriage pulled by Komodo rhinos was waiting for them. They boarded it and made the long journey to the top of the volcano.

As they passed through the barbican at the Royal Plaza and into Harbor City, Percy saw that it was not much different from the city of Shu Jin, except that it was much larger, with houses stretching along the base of the volcano and into the hills. Even the people were much the same, wearing the same clothes and concentrating on their own affairs. Only the children stopped to stare in awe at the detachment of soldiers escorting the Komodo rhinoceros-drawn carriage.

One of the children greeted him animatedly when he saw him in the carriage. Percy returned the greeting, somewhat hesitantly.

"It looked a lot like Shu Jin," he commented, watching as the same boy walked over to the others and began playing with a ball. "I thought it would be a bit more... ostentatious, considering this is the capital."

"The luxuries and riches are reserved for the nobles who live in Caldera City," Piandao replied, sitting in front of him. "Harbor City is like any other city you would find on the Fire Islands. It is modest and simple. Even though this is where the refined metal is delivered to build the tanks, warships, and weapons that help maintain the defenses of the capital and much of the nation, living here is considered... a stigma, as it conveys a lower social status."

"So if you're born here, you'll always be someone... inferior?" Percy asked, not really liking that people were classified based on where they lived.

"No. Those who join the army and manage to rise through the ranks or amass great wealth can move to Caldera City and live in the upper class. The Fire Nation does not distinguish its citizens by how they were born, but by what they do to make the nation great."

"Like you, dad?"

A faint smile formed on his father's lips, and he nodded, though Percy could see a glimmer of sadness in his eyes.

The way to the top of the volcano was a steep, winding dirt road with numerous watchtowers along the way, guarded by soldiers.

Upon reaching the top of the volcano, the carriage passed through another barbican, and when they came out on the other side, Percy was completely amazed to see an entire city at the top of the volcano.

The houses were elegant, made of stone and decorated with red and gold tiles, reminding him of his dad's castle in Shu Jin. The stone streets were labyrinthine and lined with leafy trees, giving the impression that the city was built in the middle of a forest, not on top of a dormant volcano. There were even several lakes throughout the city. The people, unlike in Harbor City, wore elegant and luxurious clothes. The women were made up and wore ostentatious headdresses and necklaces, while the men wore fine, layered silk robes.

Percy looked down at his own attire, wondering if it was appropriate in the midst of so many glamorous people. But his dad didn't seem to mind, and since he was wearing an outfit almost identical to his own, he thought it was all right.

The carriage moved along the main street. In the distance, at the center of this metropolis, the Fire Nation's Royal Palace, where the Fire Lord and the Royal Family lived, stood proud and imposing.

As he gazed at the enormous palace and the entire elegant city, Percy was struck by a feeling that finally made him realize that he was in the capital of the Fire Nation and how far away from home he was.

...

..

.

And that's all for now, dear readers!

Finally, Percy has arrived in the capital of the Fire Nation. Considering that this chapter is told from Percy's point of view, I tried to be as descriptive as possible, without being too overwhelming, of what the capital is like through the eyes of someone seeing it for the first time. I hope I did well.

In this chapter, we see Percy 1 year into his training as a swordsman. I'm sorry for those of you who wanted to see step by step how his training went, but I didn't spend much time on that. Though you may see the fruits of being taught by the best swordsman in the Fire Nation in the next chapter.

Percy's demigod abilities have begun to show with his dreams and his connection to the sea, which he can't explain yet. I've also hinted at Percy's rejection of his "special abilities." Why? You'll see later.

I hope you like the greater depth I'm giving Piandao's character, something that doesn't happen in the show or the comics, which I think is a shame because he has incredible potential. I want to give Percy and Piandao a relationship similar to that of Zuko and Iroh, being both master and apprentice, father and son. Because, let's face it, we all know that Iroh was more of a father to Zuko than Ozai himself. That is undeniable.

You know, I've been thinking about something interesting. An idea popped into my head one Saturday morning in class while I was overdosing on coffee, and it was fleshed out that same night while I was drunk.

In the Avatar series, we see that the Four Nations are heavily influenced and based on various real world cultures. Like ancient China and Japan for the Fire Nation, India for the Earth Kingdom, the Inuit for the Water Tribe, and Tibet for the Air Nomads.

So, based on the different cultures of each nation, wouldn't it be interesting if each nation had its own language?

In the show, traditional Chinese characters are used to write for all the nations, and the language spoken by everyone is English. I guess they made everyone speak the same language to avoid confusion, considering that Team Avatar is made up of members of the Four Nations. But what if everyone spoke the language of their own nation, wouldn't that be interesting? I've considered adding that to my story, where each nation speaks its own language.

The Fire Nation would speak "Firenese."

The Earth Kingdom would speak "Terran".

The Water Tribe would speak "Aquarian".

And the Air Nomads would speak "Windnish"

Anyway, I'm just rambling due to a coffee and alcohol induced event, but let me know what you guys think. If you like it, I might include it in my story. It would make things harder, but also a lot more interesting.

Anyway, that's all for now.

And nothing more to say... Until next time, pretty boys and girls!