New chapter! This one is a bit light but I promise y'all that more is coming soon!

Book I: Water

Chapter XI: Kyoshi Island

Part I: Meet the Kyoshi Warriors

Somewhere near Kyoshi Island

Kuzon blinked as he woke up the next morning. Rubbing at his eyes…he then spotted Katara making what seemed like some stew. "Katara? What are you doing?"

The waterbender smiled as she cooked. She then looked up at him and smiled, "Oh! Good morning sweetie! I could use your help! Care to lend me a pyre? I need to heat this up!"

He just blinked and nodded, "Sure. I don't mind." He then put a hand on the bowl and channeled his heat through his hands. The bowl soon began heating up as it started to boil.

Katara smiled, "Perfect! Thank you!" She then smiled. "I know we haven't eaten in a couple of days so I thought I'd take the initiative."

Kuzon then crossed his arms, "Well…we kind of got spoiled back in Agna Qel'a. What with the room service and all. Not to mention the big meals the king hosted." He then turned to Sokka who was still snoring away. "Your brother can put a lot of food away. It's quite the feat."

Katara giggled, "Yeah he's always been like that. Sokka likes food." She then tilted her head at him frowning, "I noticed you weren't gorging yourself though. Did you not like it?"

Kuzon shook his head, "Not at all. I just thought it'd be rude to be so gluttonous. Such behavior is looked down upon in Fire Nation society. You are expected to adhere to etiquette and not to overindulge."

She frowned, "I see. I have to say that worries me. Do you really think it's so healthy to cling to your honor like that? I sense a lot of pride behind that."

Kuzon nodded, "I do. He then stared out into the horizon. "Fighting Ozai…Fighting Zuko…. Bringing down the Fire Empire is my one purpose in life. It's more than just my Avatar duty. It's a matter of a personal vendetta."

Katara's eyes widened in shock. She thought back to when she killed Zhao. She had had as much anger and vitriol as he did. She had killed Zhao. She now realized she regretted it. She had lost a part of herself. Shame filled her. Hearing the anger in his voice jolted her into action. She loved Kuzon….not just as the Avatar….but as the wonderful and loving person he was. She realized if she did not intervene now….She could lose him….The world could lose him. She then hugged him from behind and leaned in, "I understand that. I understand that more than you know. The Fire Nation killed my mother." She just sighed inwardly. "When Zhao came for you after you healed Tui…I reacted instantly. Yue threw her knives and I...finished the job. I looked straight into his eyes as I jabbed one of the knives into his chest. I watched as blood filled his mouth. I watched him die." She then shook her head as she began getting emotional, "I know why I did that. It was to protect you but I never want to kill again. It took something from me. A piece of myself. A piece of my humanity." She then stared at her hands as tears filled her eyes. She then took in a deep breath and turned him around, "I need you to listen to me sweetie. I can't imagine how much you hurt inside. How much they took from you." She then grabbed his face and began pleading, "But you can't let this fight bring out the worst in you. We have to be different from Zuko and his ilk. We have to act differently from them. We have to be better."

Kuzon blinked at her with anger in his eyes, "They took everything from me Katara! My family! My friends! They ruined my life! You expect me to just take that lying down?"

Katara just smiled hopefully with teary eyes and took his hands into hers. "No. Of course I don't sweetie. Of course I don't but think about it for a second. If you decide to just kill whoever you wish….what makes you different from Ozai? What is it that makes you different from Zuko? Do you think that killing will in anyway honor your mother? Your father?"

Kuzon then stopped to think for a moment. Emotion overwhelmed him. The reminders of the last words his family told him rang in his head. Choose mercy. He then closed his eyes as tears ran down them. His voice got emotional. "It...doesn't."

Katara smiled in relief. Her words got through. She then put her hands on his shoulders and ruefully smiled, "That's right It doesn't. It just deadens your heart…your humanity. My mother wouldn't want me to just go around killing every firebender I see. It would crush her to see what I've done. I will have to ask her for forgiveness. I will have to ask the spirits for their forgiveness." She then wiped the tears from her eyes and smiled again at him, hugging him, "I'm going to have to live with the decision I made…and I will. Somehow. Don't make the same mistake I did. Please. You're more than just a killer. You're the Avatar. You're the boy I love. You're my light in the darkness. The one who sets my heart alight. Don't let Ozai take that away. Please."

Kuzon couldn't keep it in anymore. He hugged her and began sobbing into her arms.

Katara just smiled with teary eyes as she hugged him back, "It's okay. You can cry in my arms sweetie. I've got you. Let it all go." After Kuzon calmed down, Katara cupped his face and smiled. "Feeling better?" Kuzon just nodded, "I…am." She just nodded with a smile, "Will you promise me?"

Kuzon just nodded. "I give you my word in honor. No more killing."

She then smiled and kissed him gently. "Okay. Thank you." She turned to her brother, smirked, and took Kuzon's hand. "Come on. Let's let Sokka rest for a bit. I need to hone your waterbending skills. Just because you've left the Water Tribes doesn't mean you can get out of training."

He blinked at her, "Hold on a second. Since when did Master Pakku make you my waterbending teacher?"

Katara giggled as she shyly smirked, "He gave me the job. He noticed my natural talent." She chuckled, "Plus it's not like he could've come along with us. He had to stay back."

Kuzon blinked for a moment and shrugged. "It's kind of ironic. In my culture…most of the firebending masters are male."

Katara turned to him smirking, "That so? Hah. That's poetic. A firebending Avatar being taught by a female waterbender." She giggled, "Romantic too. Fire and water do complement one another." She then walked them to a medium-sized pond. "Okay, this is as good a place as any." She then pulled out the scroll Master Pakku had given her and rolled it on the floor.

Kuzon blinked, "And that is?"

She smirked, "The last moves you need to master waterbending." She then closed her eyes and slowly got into her waterbending form. "Do as I do."

He then nodded and got into his.

She smiled with pride. "Good. Although your form is still a bit sloppy." She then walked over to him and then behind him, grabbing his arms. He turned red and felt his heartbeat quicken. Why do I still quiver at her touch? We've kissed before. I've held her in my arms. "Your form is still tense. You need to loosen it."

Kuzon felt his face redden. "Um…right." She chuckled and teased, "I can feel your pulse quickening sweetie. Am I making you nervous being this close?"

Kuzon scoffed and shook his head, "What? No. Don't be ridiculous. I'm a bender of pure focus. I don't get nervous."

She grinned, "Of course. Of course. I just want to make sure your head is in the game." She then kissed him on the cheek. She then walked across and smiled. "Let us start with a bow." She then bowed to him in honor.

Kuzon blinked but returned the gesture. She then got into her waterbending form. He got into his.

The Redeemer

Moments later

Zuko then growled as he walked onto the deck of the Redeemer.

All of the men stiffened to attention. "Prince Zuko!"

He gave some of them a nod before walking to the deck. "Where is the helmsman?"

Kaizou then turned around from his station. "Sir!" Zuko stared coldly at him. Set course for the nearest base. We need to restock on weapons and gear. I'll be in the captain's quarters determining our next course."

The man saluted and nodded nervously, "Yes, sir. I understand."

Zuko then put his hands behind his back and walked over to the captain's bunk.

Somewhere near Kyoshi Island

Kuzon then took a deep breath and brought the wave in. He then focused on trying to calm all distractions. He then darted his eyes to the tree to his right. In a rightward motion and a breath…he turned the water into many different sharpened shards of ice. They impacted the tree head-on." Katara smirked as she watched him with pride. She then began clapping, "There you go. You've picked up on all this so quickly. I'm impressed."

Kuzon gave her a nod, "It honestly wasn't that hard once I could get into my calm center. Just a matter of moving the water back and forth."

Sokka also clapped half sarcastically, "Yes. Yes. You did very nice moving your fancy water around."

This little comment drew the ire of both benders. Katara put her hands on her shoulders, glaring, "It's not fancy water, Sokka. It's waterbending. It's a sacred art our people have been practicing for years."

Kuzon just facepalmed.

Sokka just waved his sister off. "Yeah yeah. Whatever."

Katara's glare even got fiercer. "Do I need to freeze you again?"

Suddenly, Kuzon saw the ghostly form of Kyoshi appear before him. He had to blink a few times before it all made sense. The tall Earth Kingdom woman stared at him blankly "So…you are the descendant that Kuruk and Kyikoh won't shut up about." She blinked as she stared into his eyes. "You do have that Fire Nation intensity that is so often common with your people. A fiery passion for battle. Perhaps you'll prove yourself worthy."

He blinked at her and crossed his arms glaring, "How about I go up there in the Spirit World for a spar or two? I'll show you just how capable I am."

Avatar Kyoshi then smirked for a moment. Then she grinned, "You've got backbone. I guess I should've expected that." She then put her hands on her hips. "My name is Avatar Kyoshi. I'm one of your past lives. Long ago…I mentored Avatar Kyikoh in her quest to reach her potential. Now I appear to you to help you reach yours."

Katara and Sokka both turned to Kuzon worriedly.

Sokka crossed his arms at the firebender. "Uh flamehead. Who are you talking to…woah. He stared in awe at the tall Earth Kingdom woman before him.

Katara blinked as she recognized Kyoshi's armor's green and yellow accents. "Who are you?"

Kyoshi then noticed the two of them. She smirked at Kuzon, "I see you have companions—Water Tribe companions, to be exact. Very smart of you. Water Tribesmen are known to be some of the most resourceful people in the Four Nations."

Kuzon stared at her for a moment. He then sighed and bowed Fire Nation style. "Avatar Kuzon Lin Sho of the Fire Nation. An honor to meet you, Avatar Kyoshi."

She then smiled again, and a tear ran down her left eye. "Ah. I haven't seen that bow in such a long time—not since Rangi died."

Sokka blinked, "Rangi…was your…husband, I take it?"

Kyoshi turned to him and glared, "No, boy. Rangi wasn't a he. She was a she. She was born in the Fire Nation."

Sokka gulped under her glare, "Oh..right. Sorry."

Katara smiled, "Aww. That is beautiful." She then took Kuzon's hand, glanced at him, back to Kyoshi, and squeezed it hard, smiling, "Here I thought Kuzon and I were the first."

Kuzon's face then flushed red as he coughed.

Kyoshi smiled at Katara. "Love transcends borders."

Katara nodded with a warm smile. "That it does." She then hugged Kuzon, wrapping her arms around him. He was a bit taken aback but smiled as he put an arm around her.

Kyoshi turned to Kuzon and smirked, "Now, as for you…my young successor. I have a message for you."

Kuzon nodded, "What is it?"

Kyoshi smiled, "Close to here…is an island named Kyoshi Island. During my time…Chin the Conqueror managed to conquer the entirety of the Earth Kingdom. The people of the Yokoya Peninsula were one of the lucky groups who managed to avoid his rule." She sighed, "I avoided a war and used my airbending to seperate the people there from the mainland. For the past hundred years…they have lived in isolation and peace. You must go there. You must go there to learn about how I defeated Chin and also start learning the earthbending forms."

Kuzon blinked as he raised a hand to stop her. "Hold on a second there. Earthbending forms? Don't you think that's moving a bit fast? I haven't even mastered waterbending."

Kyoshi glared back, "Let me remind you that you have little time before Sozin's Comet returns. Unlike many of your predecessors…you do not have the luxury of time to do this leisurely. You must jump into this headfirst. If you do not…the rest of the Nations will fall to the rule of the Fire Lord. Many will die. Many will suffer. I'm sure you don't want that."

Kuzon then blinked and calmed himself down. "Fair enough. I don't. I'll do what I can."

Kyoshi smiled, "Good. I hope you keep up that sense of urgency. Avatar Kuruk did not heed my advice, and it cost him the love of his life. I'd hate for you to lose Katara the same way."

At this, both Katara and Kuzon stared at the earthbending spirit.

Katara just crossed her arms, "What happened exactly?"

Kyoshi then turned to her with a solemn look, "His wife...Ummi had her face stolen by Koh the Face Stealer. Kuruk was never the same after that. He lost himself in his grief. I felt sorry for him."

Kuzon and Katara both blinked at her and then at each other. Avatar Kyoshi then turned her head towards the village. "Now come on. We don't have much time left."

Sokka then finished tying the rope around the post. He looked around and spotted the village in the distance. A large smoke trail protruded in the distance.

Avatar Kyoshi smiled, "Kyoshi Village." She smiled, "I will be with you always, young Kuzon, but I advise you to watch your step. My people here…aren't very trusting. They have been isolated a long time."

Kuzon turned to her and nodded. "I understand. Thank you for guiding us here. We'll be careful."

Katara turned to Kyoshi, "Yes. Thank you."

Sokka grinned at the female ghost. "Appreciate you ghost lady."

Kyoshi then turned to the warrior with an impassive look in her eyes. "You are welcome."

She floated away. The three of them turned to the forests ahead. Kuzon sighed and loosened his shoulders. "Well…here we go. Here's hoping that I don't get a spear in the shoulder."

Katara chuckled as she cradled his arm in hers. "Ah. Don't worry, sweetie. I'll be sure to patch you up if that happens."

The three of them then started to walk towards the village.

Kyoshi Forest

As the group walked outside the forest, they suddenly found themselves surrounded by female warriors dressed in facepaint and elaborate battle armor.

Kuzon then got into his firebending pose, "At ease. We mean you no harm."

The lead one, a rather tall girl with steely, cold blue eyes, glared at him. "Likely story. We don't see many ashmakers in these parts. Most of them stay near the Fire Nation Colonies." She then unfurled her fan and pointed it threateningly at Kuzon. "Your name now."

Kuzon blinked, growled, and shook his head, deciding not to retort in kind. He put his hands up in surrender. "At ease. My name is Kuzon Lin Sho. Avatar Kuzon Lin Sho. I'm here in peace."

One of the girls next to the leader glared at him, "Yeah right. We've stayed out of Fire Nation affairs for over a hundred years. We had a deal. We stay our of your lands. You stay out of ours."

The lead one nodded again, "The Avatar huh? Please! Don't lie to us! We all know the real Avatar died a hundred years ago! He hasn't been seen in a hundred years!" She then turned back to her fellow Kyoshi Warriors. "Warriors! Prepare yourselves! Surround the ashmaker!"

Kuzon muttered, "Great. Try to solve things peacefully..and this is what I get."

Katara then rushed to his right. Sokka at his left. Katara then got in her waterbending stance, the coldness returning to her eyes, "Go ahead. Try it. You'll regret laying a hand on him."

Sokka, meanwhile, just nodded, "Yeah what she said. We aren't getting beat by a bunch of girls."

All of the Kyoshi Warriors then turned to especially glare at him.

Katara gave her brother a severe look, "Sokka! Seriously! You trying to get us killed? You are such an idiot sometimes."

Kuzon also glared at the warrior. "Yes. I concur with her."

Kyoshi then appeared again, "Enough! There is no time for this!" She then possessed Kuzon's body. His body then lurched forward and went back into place. Kuzon's eyes went white again, much to everyone's shock.

Now using Kuzon's body, Kyoshi turned to glare at all of the Kyoshi Warriors.

The blue-eyed one gasped in shock as she stared in awe. "He's telling the truth! He really is the Avatar!"

All of the other girls gasped in awe as well.

Kyoshi then spoke through Kuzon as she stared at the Kyoshi Warriors "You six. You wear my armor and my legacy, and yet you threaten my successor? I must say. You have some nerve."

The lead one blinked as she suddenly dropped to one knee. So did the rest of them. "Forgive us Avatar Kyoshi. We've been isolated for a long time. We've had to be…wary of outsiders. He showed up here in Fire Nation clothes. We won't make the same mistake again."

Kyoshi waved her off. "Ah. It's fine. Smart of you to be suspicious. There are troubling times. Just please let him through. The balance of this world is on his shoulders and he needs your help to learn more about my ways. Treat him as an honored guest."

The lead one smiled warmly, "Of course. He shall be an honored guest. We will have a fine feast in his honor."

Kuzon nodded, "Good. I'll be going now. I will not be far." She then flew out of Kuzon.

Drained from the experience, he wobbled back and forth, falling into Katara's arms when she caught him. "It's okay, sweetie. I've got you." She let out a sigh of relief when she caught him. Turning to face the lead girl with a glare so cold it could probably freeze air….she spoke angrily. "So…what's it going to be…are you going to help us or am I going to have to put some of you on ice? Either option is preferable to me."

The lead one smirked at her, This Water Tribe girl is a fighter. She's got spirit. I like her. "That won't be necessary. Your friend is indeed the real deal. He is an ally. As are you. You may come in peace." She then turned her glare to Sokka. "As for you….watch your back. Us girls are capable of more than you realize." Sokka just scoffed, "Whatever."

The girl ignored him and turned her back. The others followed along. "Please follow us into the village."

Yuang Tai Base, Occupied Fire Territories

Somewhere near the Earth Kingdom

Zuko tapped his foot impatiently. "Where is he?"

Uncle Iroh just smiled, "Do not worry so much nephew. My informant will be here. Have some patience."

Suddenly a man dressed in brown rags and a brown hood approached them. He spoke in a raspy tone, "G…General Iroh? P…Prince Zuko."

Iroh smirked as he took notice of the car across the man's left cheek. "Tian Zhou."

The man then bowed to them. "General Iroh. Prince Zuko. I have important news for you both."

Iroh then moved to the side and gestured in the room. "Please come in. Have some tea with us."

The man then nodded as Zuko and Iroh both went inside.

As the man sat across from Zuko and Iroh, he sighed and pulled down his hood. "I received information from our friends in the Fire Intelligence Service. They have spotted the Avatar in a location near Kyoshi Island."

Iroh blinked as he rubbed his chin, "Kyoshi Island? That's quite far from the Northern Water Tribe. What could he be doing there?"

Zuko then stood from his seat and stared down at the table. "I do not know what the traitor is doing there. But I am going to find out what." He then stomped off to his ship. The man followed him with his eyes.

Iroh blinked at him before sighing and shaking his head. He then turned to the man and bowed his head. "Thank you for the information, my friend. If you would excuse me…" He then hurriedly ran after his nephew.

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