Disclaimer – It has come to my attention recently that I unfortunately do not own any part of the Harry Potter or Avatar: The Last Airbender franchises or any of the Literary Universes or the characters that belong to those entities. One can dream I suppose. Although I did see a bison a couple years ago … he, unfortunately, did not fly … Yip Yip.
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Chapter 3: Meeting the Avatar
The frigid wind bit at Harry's face as he stood beside General Iroh, watching as the ship's prow cut through the ice-riddled waters of the South Pole. The relentless cold was a stark contrast to the heat below deck or the heat that seemed to come off the Fire Nation benders, but he was slowly growing used to the cold over the past couple days, even though he had to admit it was unlike anything he'd experienced in the United Kingdom. Looking into the distance, he saw their target, the Southern Water Tribe village come into view, a collection of small snow huts surrounded by a rather unremarkable snow wall and a lone 'watch-tower'. His breath plumed out in front of him as he shifted his weight, making sure to stary warm even under the heavy Fire Nation cloak Iroh had found for him after seeing how poorly he was tolerating the cold compared to Zuko's men.
Prince Zuko was standing at the bow of the ship, almost exactly where he'd been standing since the navigator said they'd be arriving at their target in about an hour. There was a fire in his gaze, one that had only seemed to increase in intensity with each passing minute. Harry had seen that look in the eyes of others before, in the eyes of those with something to prove. Whether it had been Ron on the Quidditch field, Fleur in the Triwizard Tournament, or any number of his friends during the war … but with Zuko, it was more intense, bordering on desperation.
"He sure looks determined, doesn't he? Iroh's voice, warm and soothing, broke through Harry's thoughts apparently having noticed Harry's attention on his nephew.
"Yes, General," Harry replied with a nod.
Iroh chuckled softly. "You don't have to call me 'General,' Harry. I'm not part of the Fire Nation army anymore and you certainly aren't. Besides those days are better in the past. Iroh is fine." He paused for a moment, his eyes drifting back to Zuko. "My nephew has been throuogh much," he continued, his voice quieter now, almost reflective, as if he was speaking more to himself than to Harry. "But he is still so young, with much to learn."
Harry nodded, he had heard the stories whispered among the crew members when they thought Prince Zuko couldn't hear them. The duel with his father that had left him scarred, the banishment, the impossible quest to capture the Avatar.
The ship slowed as they approached the edge of the ice field, where the waters began to freeze into solid land. Zuko turned sharply on his heel and began walking back towards them, his gold eyes fierce as they met his uncle's.
"I'm going ashore with the men to find the Avatar," he declared, his voice as sharp as the air around them. Then as if suddenly noticing Harry's presence with his uncle, Zuko's gaze flicked towards him. His expression hardening. "You'll stay on the boat with my uncle."
Harry felt himself shrugging at the command, but before he could say anything, Zuko continued, his tone curt and dismissive. "I doubt a rather unremarkable boy like you could do anything to ruin my plans, but I don't want anything coming between me and my destiny."
Even though Harry had begun to grow accustomed to the prince's harshness he felt himself bristling at the rather undeserved comment. But any retort was cut off when he felt Iroh's hand rest on his shoulder. Turning to face the older man he saw his eyes softening with concern, as he shook his head but said nothing.
Looking back to his nephew Iroh nodded. "We shall wait aboard the ship, eager to celebrate your success, should you need us. However, remember our lessons Zuko, not everything is as it seems at first."
Zuko didn't respond. Instead, he strode across the deck, his movements rigid with purpose. Harry had seen him like this over the past couple days, training for hours at a time, pushing himself to the brink of exhaustion, wondering if even with everything he'd gone through had he ever seen him looking that intense.
After the ship hit 'land' and the gangplank was released, easily demolishing the wall in the process, Harry, along with Iroh watched as Zuko descended the ramp to the frozen shore, his steps determined. Several other soldiers followed him, their breath misting in the cold as they marched in formation.
From their vantage point on the ship, Harry and Iroh watched as the villagers began to gather in the center of their village behind a youth who appeared to be about Harry and Zuko's age. Everything was quiet for a couple moments before the youth charged towards the soldiers only to be kicked into a snowbank by Zuko. Unable to stop himself, Harry let out a small chuckle at the sight of that but as he looked back over the village, he felt the humor in the situation began to die.
As he looked over the crowded villagers again, he saw that they were huddled together, clearly nervous and unprepared for what arrived on their shore and Harry couldn't help but began to feel concern for them and wonder if perhaps despite Iroh's, and even Zuko's, noble qualities there were not the good guys.
"Is this really all necessary? Do you think the Avatar is actually here?" Harry asked quietly.
Iroh was silent for a couple seconds before looking to Harry and responding in a soft voice. "The world is full of surprises, Harry. Found in even the most unlikely of places."
Harry couldn't help but noticed that Iroh had failed to answer his first question as the man turned back to look over the unfolding scene below them. Harry turned and watched Zuko and his men approach the village and felt his concerns flair, as he saw the fear on the faces of all the Water Tribe Members, including a girl who also appeared to be about his age.
However, when Zuko reached out and grabbed an elder from beside that girl, angrily yelling, before releasing a stream of fire overhead, Harry felt himself start forward towards the ramp.
But before he could move any further, a gentle but firm hand rested on his shoulder, stopping him in his tracks. "Harry, wait," Iroh's voice was calm, yet there was a note of warning in it.
"But he's—" Harry began, but Iroh interrupted him.
"Despite appearances, Zuko will not go too far," Iroh said quietly, his gaze steady on his nephew. "Even though he doubts it, he has never lost his honor." Iroh paused, his eyes narrowing slightly as he looked into the distance. "Besides, I doubt this confrontation will last long."
Harry hesitated, torn between his concern for the villagers and Iroh's words. Slowly, he nodded, though the tension in his chest didn't ease. He looked back toward the village, where the scene continued to unfold.
The youth Zuko had kicked into a snowbank, had only just managed to pull himself back to his feet. To Harry's surprise, the boy didn't back down. Instead, he confronted Zuko, a determined expression on his face. Harry couldn't help but smile when the boy's boomerang, which he had thrown at Zuko only for it to have gone wide, suddenly came back and smacked Zuko square in the head.
Zuko's expression twisted with anger, and Harry braced himself for what would come next even as he felt Iroh take a step forward. But before Zuko could respond or do anything, something unexpected happened. A small boy riding what appeared to be a cross between a penguin and an otter sped into the village, sliding across the ice at an alarming speed. In one swift motion, the creature knocked Zuko's legs out from under him, sending the prince sprawling into the snow.
Iroh chuckled softly beside him. "It seems that even in the most serious of situations, there is room for a little humor," he remarked, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
Harry smiled faintly at Iroh's words, but his attention quickly refocused on the young boy who had just dismounted the strange creature. Unlike the villagers, who were all clad in shades of blue and white, this boy was dressed in bright orange and yellow robes that stood out starkly against the snow and everyone else present. Harry's curiosity piqued as he watched the boy approach Zuko, seemingly unafraid, despite the fire that had just been unleashed when Zuko had angrily gotten to his feet.
The boy and Zuko began to exchange words, though Harry couldn't make out what they were saying from this distance. What he could see, however, was the boy's confident demeanor and the way he held the wooden staff he was carrying with practiced ease. Then, in a move that made Harry's eyes widen, the boy began to wave the staff around, and the snow around him started to swirl as if caught in a miniature cyclone. Wind whipped through the village, and Harry could feel it even from the ship.
Iroh's hand suddenly dropped from Harry's shoulder, his usually composed face showing a rare moment of shock. "It can't be …" he murmured under his breath, his voice tinged with disbelief. "The Avatar?"
Harry turned to him, his own surprise evident. "I thought everyone said the Avatar would be well over 100 by now."
Iroh shrugged, his expression a mix of confusion and wonder. "All that is known for sure is that the Avatar, a member of the Air Nomads, went missing almost 100 years ago. I can't think of any other airbenders …" He trailed off, his voice growing soft and his gaze distant, as if lost in memories. There was a hint of guilt and sadness in his eyes before he shook his head and refocused on the scene below.
Harry's mind raced as he tried to process what Iroh had just said. The Avatar? It seemed impossible, yet the sight of the boy bending air before their eyes left little room for doubt. Harry's concern for the villagers grew even stronger as he saw the situation beginning to escalate. Even with his faith in Zuko, Harry could tell that Iroh was getting nervous and also seeing that things were getting dangerously close to spiraling out of control.
Without thinking, Harry started toward the front of the ship, ready to intervene, to do something to stop this before it went too far. But he froze in his tracks as he saw the boy—the Avatar, if Iroh was right—suddenly drop his staff and raise his hands in surrender. Zuko's men quickly moved to restrain him, but the boy's calm demeanor remained unchanged.
It took a moment for Harry to realize what had just happened. The Avatar had surrendered, apparently willing to give himself up to save the villagers. Harry's heart sank as he watched the scene unfold.
As soon as the Avatar had been led onto the ship and the ramp had gone up, the ship began to pull away from the shore. The crew erupted into cheers, their excitement palpable as the realization sunk in: they were heading back to the Fire Nation, and with them, the Avatar.
Harry followed Iroh as they made their way toward where Zuko and his guards were gathered around the boy. Iroh's expression was a mix of eagerness and guilt, a strange combination that Harry couldn't quite understand. When they arrived, Harry overheard Zuko speaking, his voice filled with pride and anticipation.
"I can't wait to present this staff to my father," Zuko said, holding the wooden staff aloft as if it were a trophy. But his excitement quickly soured as he turned his gaze back to the young Avatar. His expression hardened, and his tone turned cruel. "So, the mighty Avatar is nothing more than an orphan? How pathetic."
Harry felt his anger rise at Zuko's words. He knew the sting of being an orphan all too well, the loneliness, the sense of being unwanted. To hear Zuko use it as an insult, to belittle the boy who had just surrendered to protect a group of people, was infuriating.
But before Harry could voice his thoughts, Zuko handed the staff to Iroh, his tone dismissive. "Take this to my quarters," Zuko ordered, his voice cold. "And get the Avatar to the prison cells."
Zuko turned sharply, striding away toward the wheelhouse, leaving the boy standing there, surrounded by soldiers. Harry watched, his frustration mounting, as Iroh examined the staff, his eyes flicking between it and the young Avatar. Iroh's expression was hard to read, a blend of concern and something else that Harry couldn't quite place. Finally, Iroh called out to one of the soldiers, his voice louder than necessary. "Take this staff to Prince Zuko's quarters."
The soldier snapped to attention, taking the staff from Iroh with a quick nod before hurrying off. Harry, his emotions still churning, started in the direction where the Avatar was being led, determined to do something—anything—to intervene. But before he could take more than a few steps, Iroh's hand was on his shoulder again, firm but gentle.
"I think we need to have a talk first," Iroh said quietly, leaning in close so only Harry could hear. "Before you try to do anything … rash."
Harry hesitated, his anger simmering just beneath the surface. He wanted to argue, to insist that he had to do something now, but there was a look in Iroh's eyes that gave him pause. The old man's voice was calm, but there was an urgency there that Harry had never heard before.
Iroh's eyes flicked to the distant horizon, where the vast expanse of the Southern Ocean stretched out in every direction. "And seeing as how we are stuck on this ship in the middle of the ocean, you have nothing but time." His tone was light, almost playful, but Harry could see the seriousness behind it. "Come with me."
Reluctantly, Harry nodded, and he followed the old general through the narrow corridors of the ship, his mind still racing with questions. When they reached Iroh's quarters, the room was warm and inviting, a stark contrast to the cold steel of the ship. Iroh moved with deliberate calmness, preparing a pot of tea with practiced ease, while Harry fidgeted impatiently, trying to suppress his growing anxiety.
Iroh, however, refrained from answering any of Harry's questions until he had finished brewing the tea. He handed Harry a cup of delicious-smelling jasmine tea, its warmth seeping into his fingers as he held it. Iroh sat across from him, taking a slow sip before speaking.
"Okay, so where should we start ..." Iroh began, his tone thoughtful, but before he could finish his thought, alarm bells began ringing throughout the ship. The sudden clamor startled Harry, but when he looked at Iroh, expecting a reaction, he found the old man smiling instead.
"Well, that was certainly quicker than I expected," Iroh said, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Although I suppose the youth of the world are always in a hurry to act."
Harry glanced around in surprise as the sounds of men running echoed through the corridors outside. Despite the chaos, Iroh remained seated, seemingly unfazed by the commotion.
"Aren't you going to do anything?" Harry asked, confusion and concern lacing his voice.
Iroh shrugged nonchalantly, taking another sip of his tea. "And leave this cup of tea to get cold? I couldn't imagine doing that."
Harry opened his mouth to protest, but Iroh continued, his voice turning more serious. "As for you, Harry, while I felt your destiny might lie in another direction, I must urge you to consider the fact that you are on a ship with a small but not insignificant number of Firebenders. You have no likely means of escape unless you wish to swim through the freezing waters to the nearest landmass." Iroh paused, his gaze steady on Harry. "So, I ask you to think before acting."
Harry hesitated, the weight of Iroh's words settling on him. The old man's smile was gentle, but there was an unmistakable wisdom in his eyes. He turned his attention to a picture on the wall, depicting a man who appeared to be only a couple of years older than Harry. The expression on Iroh's face as he looked at the picture was unreadable, a mix of nostalgia and something else that Harry couldn't quite place.
The hallway outside had fallen silent, the only sounds now the faint creaks of the ship as it moved through the icy waters. Harry took a sip of his tea, the warmth calming his nerves, but the tension in his chest remained. Placing the cup down, he looked back at Iroh.
"I'm just going to take a look outside and make sure everything and everyone is alright," Harry said, his voice tentative.
Iroh chuckled softly, waving a hand without turning back. "Go on then, Harry. But remember what I said."
Nodding, Harry slipped out of the room and into the corridor. As he moved through the hallways, he noticed most of the men were heading toward the holding cells, their voices hushed as they muttered about a problem with the Avatar.
Harry's heart skipped a beat. Something was happening, and it was happening fast. He started in the direction of the holding cells, his instincts telling him to check on the boy. But then he paused, realizing that there likely hadn't been enough time to get the Avatar to the cells yet. And if the boy was as resourceful as he seemed, he would likely try to escape to the deck, where he could have more space to maneuver, rather than get trapped in the narrow corridors against opponents who could throw fire from their hands.
Changing course, Harry quickly made his way up to the deck. The cold wind hit him as soon as he stepped outside, but he barely noticed, his eyes scanning the area. Just as he reached the open space, he caught sight of the young Avatar atop the ship's tower. The boy leapt off the tower with a surprising agility, a glider extending from what Harry quickly realized was the same staff Zuko had taken from him earlier.
Harry watched in awe as the boy soared into the sky, the glider catching the wind and lifting him effortlessly. For a moment, it seemed like the Avatar would escape, leaving the ship and its crew behind. But then, before the boy could gain any real separation, Harry's eyes widened in disbelief as Prince Zuko leapt off the same tower.
Zuko's jump was a daring move, one that even Harry would have thought twice about. With a grimace of determination, Zuko managed to grab onto the boy's leg at the last possible moment. The added weight began to drag all three of them—Zuko, the Avatar, and the glider—back toward the ship's deck. They descended rapidly, crashing into a tangled heap on the deck below.
As the dust settled, the three figures began to untangle themselves and climb to their feet. Zuko and the Avatar, though disheveled, took on fighting stances, ready to resume their confrontation. But before any blows could be exchanged, Zuko suddenly looked up, his eyes widening in shock.
"What's that?" he exclaimed; his voice laced with disbelief.
Harry and the Avatar both turned their heads in unison, their eyes widening as well. High above them, a colossal white beast was flying gracefully through the sky towards them. The beast had an immense, fur-covered body and broad, powerful tail, making it appear both majestic and imposing.
The young Avatar's face lit up with recognition. "Appa!" he called out, his voice filled with relief and joy.
Harry's eyes were glued to the scene, trying to make sense of the unexpected appearance. In the moment of distraction, Zuko saw an opportunity. He attempted to seize the advantage while the Avatar was preoccupied with his flying companion. Zuko lunged forward, his eyes fixed on the boy, aiming to strike him while his attention was diverted.
Without hesitation, Harry acted. He knew he couldn't let Zuko take advantage of the situation. With quick reflexes, Harry moved toward the confrontation, determined to prevent Zuko from causing harm. As he reached the fray, he saw Zuko's attack coming, a surge of fire dancing in his hands.
Just as Zuko was about to unleash his attack, the giant white beast—Appa—dove lower. The beast's presence was enough to cause Zuko to falter, momentarily thrown off balance by the sheer size and power of Appa.
Harry took advantage of the distraction. He moved swiftly, reaching Zuko before he could unleash a fire ball or some other form of attack and forcefully pushing the prince backwards. Zuko staggered back, momentarily confused by the impact. The Avatar, still catching his breath from the fall, took the opportunity to regroup and position himself for a counterattack.
As the chaos of the deck continued, the crew members watched in stunned silence, unsure of how to react to the unfolding drama. Harry could hear the murmur of their voices, the clamor of their confusion as they processed the unexpected appearance of Appa and the ensuing conflict.
As Zuko regained his footing. Appa landed gracefully on the deck, its massive body blocking the path of Zuko and the crew, creating a protective barrier between the Avatar and the crew of the ship.
Zuko glared at Harry, his frustration evident. "Why are you interfering?" he demanded, his voice filled with anger.
Harry met Zuko's gaze, his own expression resolute. "Because this is wrong. The Avatar doesn't deserve this. He's just a boy, you must see this is wrong."
Zuko's eyes narrowed, but before he could respond, the Avatar stepped forward, his gaze unwavering as he faced the prince.
"We don't have to fight," the Avatar said, his voice calm but firm. "There are better ways to resolve this."
Zuko glared at the Avatar for a second before looking down. To the Avatar it might have seemed like Zuko was nodding in acceptance, but Harry had seen this pose before, and it was preparation for his bending attacks.
Looking over to the Avatar, Harry called out. "Watch it."
Despite Harry's warning, the Avatar was barely able to avoid the first attack and quickly was put on the defensive, seemingly struggling to fend off Zuko's relentless attacks. Within the span of a minute, Harry watched in helpless frustration as the boy was forced to the edge of the ship. A particularly fierce blow from Zuko caused the Avatar to lose his staff, his defenses faltering. With one final, desperate attempt to block an attack, the Avatar stumbled and fell backward, disappearing over the ship's railing.
Without a moment's hesitation, Harry sprinted to the edge of the ship. He peered over the railing, his heart pounding in his chest. The boy had hit the water below, and Harry waited with bated breath, desperately hoping for a sign of movement. Seconds ticked by, and the boy did not resurface. Fear gripped Harry as he worried that the boy might have been knocked unconscious by the fall or, worse, might not be able to swim.
Ignoring the distant sound of Zuko's shouts, Harry didn't waste another second. Without thinking twice, he leaped over the railing and began his descent toward the water. The cold air whipped around him as he fell, and he wished fervently that he had some form of underwater breathing aid, like gillyweed.
The impact with the water was jarring, almost knocking the air out of him. Harry struggled to orient himself as he surfaced, gasping for breath. He glanced around, his eyes scanning the water's surface for any sign of the Avatar. To his growing concern, the boy had not reappeared.
Harry took a deep breath and dove below the surface. The water was icy and but thankfully impressively clear, and he squinted for any sight of the Avatar. As he descended, he spotted the distinctive color of the boy's robes sinking below him. Realizing the Avatar was likely unconscious, Harry's heart raced as he swam toward the sinking figure.
The deeper he went, the more the cold water seemed to sap his strength. He could feel his lungs burning for air, but he pushed on, motivated by the urgent need to save the boy. Harry reached out and grabbed the Avatar's robe, his grip tight as he began to pull the unconscious figure upward.
His strength was waning, and he was running out of breath fast. The surface seemed to be moving further away, and Harry felt a pang of panic. He forced himself to focus, using every ounce of energy to swim towards the surface, his arms straining against the water's resistance.
Finally, just when Harry thought he might not make it, his vision began to narrow, and he felt the last of his oxygen burning away. Just as he started to lose consciousness, he noticed an unexpected light. His sluggishly turning head revealed that the light seemed to be coming from the boy he was trying to save. The Avatar was glowing with a radiant energy that bathed the water in a warm, bright light.
Harry felt the water around him begin to churn and rotate rapidly. The powerful current pushed them upward with incredible speed. He had just enough awareness to feel a brief, intense surge of energy before everything went black.
When Harry opened his eyes again, he found himself lying on his back on the deck of the ship. The cold air bit at his skin, and he shivered uncontrollably. He glanced around, his foggy mind slowly clearing as he saw the Avatar standing nearby, fiercely confronting the approaching Fire Nation soldiers. The boy was using waves of water to launch the soldiers off the edge of the ship and into the icy sea below.
Harry couldn't help but let out a small laugh as he watched the soldiers tumble into the water, the sight both impressive and satisfying. Just as he had started to get to his feet, he noticed the Avatar beginning to wobble. Acting quickly, Harry took a few steps forward and caught the boy just as he collapsed.
As his hand made contact with the still-glowing Avatar, Harry felt a sudden, overwhelming surge of energy flow through him. It was as if he had been struck by an incredibly powerful jolt of energy, far more intense than anything he had ever experienced. The shockwave of energy left him momentarily dazed, his senses reeling from the impact.
Over the lingering tingling he was feeling, Harry heard two voices shouting in his direction. He looked up to see the boy and girl from the Southern Water Tribe village dismounting from an enormous creature. The creature resembled a six-legged cross between a giant buffalo and a polar bear, and it moved with a grace that belied its size.
"Aang, are you alright?" the girl called out, rushing toward them with a look of concern.
"Get away from him, Fire Nation punk!" the boy commanded, but he was cut off when the girl smacked him on the head.
"Sokka, didn't you see that he tried to help Aang when he fell overboard?" the girl scolded.
Sokka, the boy, looked taken aback but remained skeptical. The girl, Katara, moved closer to Harry, her expression softening as she approached.
Harry, still holding the unconscious Avatar, managed a weak smile. "Hey, I think I saw you two in the village, please help him he fell unconscious after what he was doing … and I have a feeling it won't take long for more soldiers to come."
Katara's eyes widened slightly as she stared at Harry. "You ... you're helping us?"
"Yes, and I'm glad you arrived when you did," Harry said, glancing down at the boy in his arms. "There's not exactly a lot I can do or anywhere he can hide on the ship, and he needs help."
Sokka, though still wary, nodded toward Harry and then shifted his gaze to Aang. "Alright, let's get him to safety."
The two of them carefully helped Harry move the Avatar towards Appa. As they worked together, Harry could feel his own strength returning, though the surge of energy still tingled in his body.
Katara looked at Harry with a mix of curiosity and gratitude. "Why did you help him? You're from the Fire Nation."
Harry took a deep breath, his gaze steady. "Well, not exactly. They rescued me but that's a long story. But most importantly it was because it was the right thing to do. And right now, he needs help and to get out of here more than anything else."
Katara seemed to accept this, though Sokka's skeptical gaze lingered. After carefully getting the Avatar into the saddle on the flying animal, Sokka ran off towards the edge of the ship saying that he saw Aang's staff. This left Katarra staring at him in silence.
It was less than a couple seconds before Sokka ran back, holding Aang's staff, his expression a mix of urgency and satisfaction. "We better go," he said, grinning. "I just knocked that angry guy who attacked our village back over the side of the ship, and he did not look happy."
As Sokka joined Katarra and Aang in the saddle. The Avatar, his energy still somewhat drained, opened his eyes and looked over at Harry, a hopeful expression on his face.
"Hey, you should come with us," Aang suggested, his voice sincere despite his weariness.
Before Harry could respond, Sokka interjected with a skeptical tone. "It's one thing not to attack him because he jumped into the ocean after you, but invite him along with us?" Sokka crossed his arms, clearly unsure about the idea.
Katara, exasperated, lightly smacked Sokka on the head again. "Sokka, he helped us. I'm sure some of the soldiers on the boat saw him do it. He'll end up in a prison somewhere … or worse if we don't let him come with us."
Sokka opened his mouth to argue but quickly closed it when he saw Katara raise her hand again in warning. He grumbled, clearly unhappy with the situation but unwilling to push back further. "Fine, but we better get going."
Aang turned back to Harry, his expression hopeful. "So, are you coming with us?"
Harry hesitated, glancing back toward the ship. He could see the scowl on Zuko's face as the prince struggled to climb back onto the edge of the boat, his anger and frustration palpable. But what really caught Harry's attention was the look on Iroh's face. The older man had just emerged from a doorway, and despite the chaotic situation, he was calm. He subtly motioned Harry in the direction of the others.
In that moment, Harry understood. Iroh was giving him an out, a chance to choose a different path. Harry looked back at Aang, Katara, and Sokka, all of whom were watching him expectantly. He knew that if he stayed, his future would be uncertain, likely grim. But if he left with them, it might lead to something new, something different, and maybe even a chance to do some good.
Harry nodded; his decision made. "I'm in," he said, climbing up towards the saddle.
With a relieved smile, Aang reached out to help Harry onto Appa's back. Katara gave him an encouraging nod, while Sokka just sighed and muttered something under his breath.
"Yip yip!" Aang called, and with a powerful leap, Appa took to the sky, leaving the Fire Nation ship behind. As they soared towards the clouds, Harry looked down one last time, catching a glimpse of Zuko's furious expression as he watched them disappear out of range of even his fireballs.
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Up Next: So, Who Are You
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Story Note 1 – The biggest part of this chapter was Harry having to come to terms with the fact that the people who saved him from drowning might not be the good guys, despite their actions to date. It is hard coming to terms with that, especially as I feel Iroh would certainly feel like a good moral individual. However, in the end I think seeing the way Zuko treated the Water Tribe members would certainly cause Harry to want to move on/not believe they are the good guys or at least not entirely.
Story Note 2 – In general, I really did enjoy how the fight went so didn't want to change too much but thought I'd put my own spin on it including Harry obviously trying to save Aang when he fell off.
Story Note 3 – And looks like Harry is off with the Gaang, best of luck Harry. I'm sure Sokka will immediately accept you and not be suspicious of your motives at all!
Thanks to those of you out to those of you who enjoy my stories, I promise to keep updating the stories as long as you enjoy them, and a special thanks to those of you who have taken the time to leave feedback or reach out to me directly. All feedback is welcome (hopefully constructive!) Looking forward to hearing what you think!
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Ikaden, healeroffates, James Birdsong, Hudy Leak613, starboy454, outcome 5, Cha0ticM3ss - Thanks so much for the review and I am glad you enjoyed the chapter and the story in general.
Le Diablo Blanc2 - Let's say ... hypothetically ... if Harry were to become a Fire bender ... there might be a decent chance he'd be able to learn to bend lightning ... if of course he was able to master his emotions.
NazdurukBugzappa - I imagined that if anyone would have understood something was up. Iroh would certainly have been able to.