Previously on the Legend of Perseus; Bender of Oceans.
Azula giggled slightly. Her mind felt moderately more at peace. Percy's eyes filled with an emotion the Princess didn't recognise.
"I swear by Agni your head must be filled with nori."
/
War Room, Governor's Palace, Yu Dao
"What do you know about the rebel camps?" Azula pressed.
"We know that there are several throughout the Garsai mountain range. We know of one earthen fortress at the source of the river that comes through the city." The governor answered.
The Princess thought over the words for a moment. "Do you have any intelligence reports on the fortress?"
The governor looked at her gravely. "Unfortunately the last five squadrons we sent out were all killed. We do suspect they're led by an Earth kingdom Captain but we don't have the bodies to spare."
"With the might of the royal precession those pesky rebels will be an issue no more." Azula smirked.
"And you've got us. We'll kick their ass Mr Governor." Ty Lee's bubbly voice chimed.
"I'm looking forward to the fight." Percy grinned.
Mai's monotone voice joined in. "You can count me in."
/
The Legend of Perseus: Bender of Oceans
Chapter 11: Pursuing the Avatar
Several months later, Governors Palace, Yu Dao
Percy couldn't settle. Every fiber of his being was screaming at him. Adrenaline coursing through him. Something was wrong. But he didn't know what.
He stretched his senses out, feeling for the water all around him. He could sense the three girls in their rooms, nothing apparent as being wrong.
He stretched his senses further. A slight frown appeared on his face. Percy quickly stood up and unsheathed his sword from the bedside quietly. He moved over to his door, preparing himself to burst through and attack at any second.
Percy could sense two people. Sneaking down the hallway slowly. The teenager was deathly still, his breathing silent. They would have to pass his room first to reach Azula's.
They were slowly encroaching closer. Percy poised himself, ready to pounce. The countdown began in his head.
Three. His grip on the sword tightened.
Two. His free hand slowly began to press at the door.
One.
He smashed through the door, quick as a flash. One of the men was forced into the wall, thrown off by the sudden attack. The other was slow to react.
Percy sliced through the one that was still standing in one motion, before stabbing his sword through the man that was in a heap. Blood slowly began to soil the rugs underneath.
He was glaring at the knives they held in their hands. Their intentions were clear as day. An angry sigh left Percy's frame. He hated killing.
The doors to the girls' rooms opened up and he could feel three sets of eyes staring at him.
/
The Southern Air Temple
The exiled prince's mind was adrift with emotions and thoughts. He was staring off into the night time horizon, memories plaguing his mind. In his hands, another letter with familiar handwriting.
Zuko wanted to reply, to apologise for snapping at him all those months ago. But the words could never form. Memories of Shu Jing flashed in his mind.
"Come on Zuko." A familiar young voice teased. Twin swords clashed against one.
"You're usually quicker than that." Percy joked as he jabbed his sword at the Prince.
Zuko deflected with one of his swords. "Do you ever shut up Percy." Zuko laughed.
The prince's other sword attacked at Percy who quickly blocked it.
"Nah not really." Percy smirked.
Zuko continued pressing forwards. Attacking the son of Piandao with the twin swords, but they were effortlessly deflected or blocked with precision.
The Prince was slowly growing frustrated. It was the tale of all their fights. No matter what he tried or done Percy had an answer. He had always been better with a sword. That small pit of jealousy tugged in his gut.
He slashed with his right sword at Percy's midsection. The son of Piandao deflected it with the flat of his blade. Redirecting Zuko and opening the rear of his guard.
In a split second Percy's left leg sweeped at his overextended right foot. Zuko fell in a heap, knocking his head off the ground. His vision blurred, his skull ringing in pain.
It took him a moment for his sight to clear. A hand outstretched to him, offering to help him up.
Zuko missed him.
Brief happy moments as they always did vanished quickly. The last conversation with the Fire Lord, forever haunting him.
Zuko was frozen to the bed in the royal infirmary. The left of his face and head in searing agony. The suffocating, all encompassing presence of his father towered over him.
"My own son. A pathetic coward." His father spat in disgust.
Zuko couldn't speak, terrified of the consequences if he did.
"Such a weak, spineless display. You dared to show such dishonour." Ozai's voice was venomous.
"You are banished, your birthright removed, disinherited."
Each word was another stab to Zuko's crumbling spirit. Hateful rage, and anger swirling within him.
"You will only ever be able to return should you bring the Avatar in chains. Until which you are exiled in dishonour."
The fire lord moved to exit the room before turning to glare at Zuko once more.
"You were lucky to be born, boy."
The anger, hate, pain, and bitterness joined the pit of jealousy that was swallowing him. He only had one way of returning home and regaining his honour. Percy didn't understand. He wished it was as easy as what master Piandao taught them. But who was he if he wasn't Crown Prince of the Fire Nation. He had no honour left.
Zuko wished he could have a loving father like Percy did. He didn't understand what it's like. He was lucky.
He reread the letter that was in his parchment dotted with water marks. It's contents echoing in his mind.
Of course they've already succeeded in their mission.
Of course they somehow quelled the uprisings in the northern colonies.
Of course they had. Everything works out for Azula.
Amber eyes glistened sadly as they read the final sentence.
I don't know what I need to say or do. But you're not alone Zuko. I am always here for you.
The tears that had been threatening finally escaped his eyes. The edges of the paper slightly lit and charred. He succumbed to that inner conflict that had been raging since his banishment. He was wailing in misery, hollow screams echoed in the mountains. The pent up bottle shattered.
Zuko failed to find comfort in the words. He felt more lost and alone than ever before.
He just wanted to go home.
/
South Pole Waters (98AG)
Breaths turned to mist with each exhale. Bitter cold air nipped at any uncovered skin. The boat was carefully working its way through a sea valley of icebergs and floes.
Zuko glared at the ice around him. Even as a fire bender it was freezing. In spite of all his layers the cold cut through him. They had been desperately searching for any sign that could point to the avatar's location.
As if Agni heard his wishes a brilliant blue beam of light erupted in the sky. It was maybe a day away, but that flicker of hope that nearly smoldered out roared within.
"Finally."
/
The ship's smokestacks continuously churned out black smoke. The boat was followed by a great wake as it stormed through the swirling seas. Night had long come and went, they were slowly closing in on the source of the grand light.
Zuko was practicing his firebending. Weaving his way through a series of lats and movements. Orange flames propelled through the air from his first, arcs of fire danced through the air from his kicks. He was preparing himself to face the avatar.
He couldn't fail.
The exiled prince could feel the watchful eyes of his uncle. Zuko turned and punched, a great fireball rocketed from his fist. An angered grunt escaped him.
Uncle Iroh shook his head disapprovingly.
"You have shown improvement nephew. But you must remember. Firebending comes from the breath, not from anger. You must control your breathing." The old man lectured.
Zuko's eyes narrowed. He kicked to the starboard side, a jet of flames collided with a small iceberg melting it.
"Anger seems to work fine."
Before his uncle could scold him, a loud boom echoed in the air. The two of them turned to try and find the source of the noise. They peered the horizon before quickly spotting it.
A flare lit up in the sky. Closer to the direction of the southern water tribe. Another sign. Destiny.
Zuko heart rate elevated. "Uncle. Inform the Captain to change our heading to the Southern Water Tribe."
'I will find you Avatar.' He vowed to himself.
The teenager could hear a sad sigh from the direction of his uncle. The old man turned and walked off towards the bridge.
/
Zuko looked down upon the Southern Water Tribe from the bow of the ship. A dilapidated town made of igloos and fur tents. If the Avatar was here then Zuko was going to find him.
He began to walk down the steel steps with a small group of soldiers. A teenage boy in war paint who was wielding a club charged at him. Zuko nearly snorted, from the way he held the weapon to the way he moved. It was amateurish.
Once he was in reach, Zuko stuck his leg out. He tripped the boy over and kicked him hard in the side. The southern water tribe boy fell into the deep piles of snow that enbanked them either side.
A large number of tribal members were looking at him warily. None matched the gurus description of the avatar.
Where was the boy with the blue tattoos?
Zuko was tired of this search. He was slowly growing annoyed.
He released a great arc of fire into the sky.
"Where is he!" He roared. "I know you are hiding him."
Nobody answered him. The silence was deafening. Zuko eyes narrowed. He was ready to command them to turn over the avatar before a war cry screeched out.
Zuko turned to the source, a familiar boy with messed up war paint charging him yet again. The prince sighed. This was their only resistance?
The teenager solidified his stance. He punched the boy in his shoulder, disarming him. Zuko held onto the boy's coat and threw him aside. Before anyone could react he shot a fireball into the snow just short of the 'warrior.'
"I don't want to fight you." Zuko barked. "Hand over the Avatar and we will leave."
The silence set in again. The Prince's hands clenched. Before he could threaten them once more a boy in orange robes moved from within the crowd.
A boy with blue tattoos.
"You promise you'll leave these people alone if I come with you." The boys young voice spoke out.
Zuko nodded his head.
"Aang no!" A girl with blue eyes shouted.
"I'm sorry Katara." Aang smiled at her sadly.
The fire bending soldiers that had accompanied moved either side of the avatar, surrounding the boy. They moved in unison, beginning to escort the avatar up the ship. Zuko lead the pack.
"Set course for the fire nation. I'm going home."
/
Zuko was in his room, his mind was a maelstrom of thoughts and emotions. He was going to have to face his father. Zuko felt sick to his stomach.
He was holding the Avatars bo staff in his hands. A wooden pole made from white oak that was roughly six feet long.
Before the prince could get any further lost in his thoughts a familiar figure broke through his door.
"What are you doing here?" He growled at the boy.
The avatar looked at him with a guilty grin. "I'm just here to get that back." He replied, pointing to the bow staff.
Zuko set it down and shot a fireball at the avatar. The airbender rolled underneath it and dodged with ease. The prince let off a series of punches that released balls of flames that targeted Aang.
The avatar danced around the fires effortlessly. Airbending a sphere of wind underneath him as he rolled on the walls and ceiling.
"Why won't you stay still?" Zuko snarled.
"You didn't say I have to stay with you." The avatar retorted.
The prince readied himself to attack again but before he could he felt himself quickly wrapped in a fire nation tapestry. He glared at the avatar who was grabbing his staff.
Zuko burned the fabric off him and the two stood off against each other. With a single movement of the staff he was blown across the room, smashing into a metal wall and falling onto his mattress. He groaned in pain.
The mattress beneath flat up and smacked him off the ceiling, as he was falling he was yet again thrown across the room.
Every bone in his body was in absolute agony after being ragdolled. His blurry vision cleared and he could see the retreating figure of the Avatar. He forced himself to stand and give chase.
Zuko followed him as quickly as he could. He raced up a ladder that took him to the main view deck and watched in shock as the Bo staff turned into a glider. The prince bolted through the room, jumping after the avatar who just took off into the sky. Zuko grabbed onto the boy's foot and the two tumbled onto the deck below.
The teenager quickly brought himself to his feet and found the avatar watching him carefully. Zuko punched forward, a fireball hurtled towards Aang. The airbender deflected it with a blast of wind but the second one caught him off guard smacking him in the chest.
The airbender tumbled close to the railing when a third blast hit him in the side pushing him over. Zuko rushed to the port side, panicking that he might have lost the avatar. Faintly in the distance he could hear a familiar girl's voice shouting the avatar's name.
A brilliant blue glow blinded him. As his vision came to he saw the avatar on top of a sailing pillar of water. The boy's eyes and tattoos were glowing a radiant blue.
Zuko looked on in fearful wonder, preparing himself to conjure the biggest fireball he could. Before the kata was finished the icy iceberg walls on either side of the ship collapsed.
The prince watched as the avatar landed on a massive white creature that soared through the air.
"Suck it fire nation!" The water tribe boy shouted at them as they passed by out of reach.
Zuko could only fall to his knees watching them fly off into the distance. A hollow scream escaped his lips.
The avatar had escaped.
/
Fire Nation Waters (98AG)
The four teenagers were enjoying each other's company in the one room. Each had a crystal glass filled to the brim with wine, laughing and bantering with each other into the night. After so many months away dealing with politics and bloodshed it was the first time they were able to enjoy themselves and be normal teenagers. They were celebrating their successes and nearing home.
A raging storm had been battering the ship for nearly a day but Ty Lee was enjoying being cozied up and having fun with her friends. Mai was sat beside her, sharpening some of her weapons. But both had their attention focused elsewhere.
They were both watching Percy and Azula sitting at a Pai Sho table, throwing teasing insults either way during an intense game. Ty Lee was beaming at the sight. Every time one of the two stole a glance at each other she and Mai shared a knowing smile.
Before she could attempt to make a remark to try and embarrass them, a monstrous crash echoed through the ship. All four of them were quickly on their feet.
"I didn't like the sound of that." Percy's tone somber.
"We should head to the bridge, convene with the captain to find out what's happened." Azula commanded.
/
The four teenagers, captain, and steer master looked out the windows with frozen expressions. A crescent shaped volcanic island was exploding. Billowing black smoke pillared into the grey thunderous clouds. Magma streamed into the swirling ocean, monstrous waves battered the ship from every direction. Howling winds raged and screamed as heavy rain pelted the metal boat.
"The ocean is going to kill us." The terror stricken captain whispered.
Percy took a step forward looking out the window at the incredible sight. It was a wonder, beautiful in its chaos. He closed his eyes and stretched his senses. The connection he felt with his element almost overwhelmed him, he could feel everything. The raging ocean, the thunderous rains, even the roaring winds of the storm. Percy opened his eyes.
"Don't tell me what the ocean is going to do." Percy smirked. The power he could feel in the air was invigorating. He began to walk out the room before the voice of the princess caught his attention.
"Perseus."
He turned to face Azula.
"Don't fall overboard." She warned with a small smile.
Percy grinned widely. "I'll try my best." He ran off heading in the direction of a set of stairs.
Ty Lee watched the interaction closely. A cheery smile graced her face. Azula returned to join them at the windows. She looked over at the girl in pink with the slightest hint of confusion in her amber eyes.
"What?" Azula questioned.
"Oh nothing Azula." The girl in pink singsonged.
Before the princess could press her further Percy stole their attention as he raced out onto the metal deck. He sat himself down into his meditative pose, his back turned to them.
Ty Lee swore his brilliant sea green aura was visible and lighting up the ship. The thunderous rain started to slow to a drizzle, before it began to dissipate as most. The jet black clouds lightened to a pale grey and the winds began to calm to light breezes.
A monstrous tidal wave that looked set to crush them settled away into the swirling ocean. The maelstrom of waves and currents began to slowly calm.
Ty Lee could only watch in wonder. Her eyes filled with shock at what was unfolding in front of them.
"He's incredible…" She whispered.
Azula mumbed beside her. "He is."
/
Kyoshi Island
Iroh could only watch the unfolding spectacle in front of him with sad eyes. He could see his nephew and a number of soldiers riding on the backs of Komodo-Rhinos, laying waste to the wooden village. The neutral island of Kyoshi was ablaze.
Houses and buildings were alight in orange flames, black smoke churned into the sky. The verdant green forest was suffocated by raging wildfires. Iroh's heart broke at the scene.
Livelihoods destroyed. Innocents killed. Families ruined. A fragile peace, stolen from them.
It brought back dark memories of Iroh's own time as a General of the Fire Nation. The devastation he razed across the Earth Kingdom. The forests and farms that had been reduced to ashes. The families, his actions separated. The loss of his own son.
A tear escaped his eye. Yet again he failed another member of his family. He couldn't stop Zuko from trekking down the dark path of vengeance.
How far could his nephew fall into the dark?
/
Author's Note
And that's a wrap on chapter 11. It's a little shorter than what I was wanting it to be, but I actually found it really difficult to write Zuko's perspective. Especially because I know I don't want to spend much time focusing on season 1, so chapters 10/11/12 have a lot to cover without being too much or too little.
I hope I've done it justice, I wanted to respect as much of the original series as possible while trying to add new dimensions to his struggles with the involvement of Percy. He's got deep seeded issues with jealousy and anger and struggles to connect with people which is stopping him from reaching out. His fathers abuse isn't quite helping that.
Really enjoyed writing the Shu Jing flashback scene. Deliberately held back in the students of Piandao chapter so some of these flashbacks could be used in this journey and the Zuko Alone arc.
Didn't want to write too much of Percy and Azulas group so chose to leave the rebellion stuff as a backdrop but still show the impact it would have on them. But still also show their characters growing, think I've been able to do that alright.
For the next chapter though I do need your guys opinion. As mentioned this chapter was originally going to be longer but I chose to publish early. I was going to add another Zuko scene before the North Pole, and I was thinking of doing the blue spirit but would like your guys opinions on it.
As always, I'm going to personally reply to some reviews.
Skelconpeverell: cheers for your continued support!i hope you've enjoyed this one.
Superhero01: Thank you so much man! I've been really loving writing this story and all the support on it so far. Really excited to see where it all goes. Zuko's going to have a very long troubled arc but Percy will be there to help him. Zuko just needs to open up.
Zhawk50: Thank you so much man, I keep opening the app every other hour to see I've gotten new follow or reviews. Loving the wee community that's building here. Hope you've enjoyed this chapter! Look forward to hearing your thoughts.
Raxon1221: absolutely I do, we've seen a little of it in this chapter. I've been planning that crescent island scene very early on. But he's not going to realise the true extent of his powers until later.
Chaosmaker55: I get a massive smile every time I see you're name leave a review mate. Thank you so much. We've gotten the briefest introduction to the Gaang, their not going to be the main focus in terms of perspectives. But we will see things from their point of view very often.
Cruden: I hope I've not disappointed with this chapter but we'll see plenty of badass Azula in the Earth kingdom very soon.
Trife: appreciate another review mate! Love writing the Percy Azula scenes together so I hope you've enjoyed the one in this chapter.
In terms of Zuko, Percy will absolutely help influence him. I hope this chapter might have been able to help show why Zuko reacted in the way he did, but he's just so hurt and bitter, that all the negative emotions have come to the forefront.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter mate! As always I look forward to reading your next review.
/
Devastated that nobody noticed that seaweed brain reference by Azula tho /3. Or the Die hard reference in chapter 7.
As always guys if you've enjoyed the chapter or story so far, follow and favorite to join in on the journey. I love seeing how far we've come from the first chapter in the space of the month.
Over 150 favorites and 225 follows. That's honestly ridiculous and these chapters continuing to come out at a steady pace is thanks to that support.
Please leave a review with your thoughts on the chapter! It only 30 seconds but they honestly make my whole day. It's one of the first things I check every morning and I'm always gassed when there's a new one.
As always stay safe folks,
Admeto