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Book I: Water

Chapter XI: The Kyoshi Warriors

Part III: Attack on Kyoshi Island

Several days later

Kuzon woke up the next morning and walked outside. He took in a deep breath as he got into his meditative position. Kyoshi…Kyikoh…you there? If you can hear me…I'd like to talk.

Kyoshi's ghost then appeared across from him.

Kyoshi smirked, "Well if it isn't my second favorite firebender. Hello again Kuzon. I hope you have enjoyed Kyoshi Island."

Kuzon just nodded. "The people are nice. Captain Suki and the Kyoshi Warriors sort of gave me a rough introduction but everyone's warmed up to me. It's weird...having people recognize and respect you by your title. I keep waiting for a knife in the back."

Avatar Kyoshi smirked. "Glad to see you haven't gone soft. The Avatar must always keep his or her wits about you. You have many enemies and will gain many more."

Kuzon nodded. "I agree." He then stared at his hands. "I'm having a bit of a dilemma and I need your input."

Kyoshi crossed her arms at him and nodded with a serious look. "Okay. What is it you need to know?"

"Katara and I read your journals. We know how you defeated Ching. You gave him a chance to surrender honorably. He refused it and fell to his death on his own accord."

Kyoshi nodded with a cold look in her eyes. "He did. He was a stubborn fool until the end."

Kuzon just nodded calmly, "You feel no sense of guilt?"

Kyoshi met his eyes and shook her head with a serious nod. "No. I don't. Why should I. He threatened the stability of the Earth Kingdom. I was the Avatar. My duty was to stop him at any cost."

Kuzon nodded. "You never feared that a kill like that would change you in any way?"

Kyoshi sighed as she breathed out her nose and nodded. "Let me explain something to you Kuzon. A lesson if you will. Know that the Avatar must do what it takes to save the world and defeat tyranny. You cannot allow yourself to become bogged down by questions of morality. If you show your enemies mercy...they will take advantage of that…and attempt to kill those you are sworn to care for and protect."

Kuzon blinked. "But won't going around and killing all my enemies make me no better than them? Katara and I have talked about it. She's scared for me. She is afraid I will lose my heart if I refuse to show mercy."

Kyoshi then sighed, "Katara is young. Hopeful. Forgive me when I say this but she is more than a bit naive. I know you love her and want to honor her but remember you are an Avatar first and a boyfriend second."

Kyoshi then put a hand on the young Avatar's shoulder looking him in the eyes. "What truly matters Kuzon…is your intent. If you are killing to save the world. Then you are leagues beyond your enemies. Ozai and his ilk…want to subjugate the world to the tyrannical rule of the Fire Nation. You are an obstacle in their path. They will not stop until you are either dead or in chains. I'm sorry but that is the truth. Making mistakes and allowing evil to triumph results in innocents suffering from your failure to act. Do you understand what I'm telling you?"

Kuzon blinked, took a deep breath in, closed his eyes, and nodded, "I…do. I'll give it some serious thought."

Kyoshi smirked. "Very wise. Thank you for heeding my warnings."

He then put his hands together and bowed his head low in honor. "Thank you for your wisdom Kyoshi."

Kyoshi smiled and returned the gesture.. "I appreciate you listening quietly and taking it to heart." She smirked, "You know…you remind me so much of Rangi. You have honestly become one of my favored successors. You are loving, fierce, and determined. I admire your sense of honor, integrity and loyalty the same as I did hers."

Kuzon closed his eyes and bowed his head. "Rangi…must have been an exceptional woman."

Kyoshi smiled with love in her eyes. "She was. Rangi was my everything." She smiled sweetly at Kuzon, "I should be going back to her as a matter of fact but please call on me whenever you need an ear. I…enjoy these conversations we have."

Kuzon nodded. "You have my word in honor."

Kyoshi smirked at him. "Good. Bye for now." The earthbending spirit then disappeared in the wind.

Kuzon let out a long sigh as he looked out in the horizon. The sun was coming up. Part of him was conflicted. He wanted to honor his word to Katara yet he knew Kyoshi made some sense. He then took a deep breath. I need some time to think. He then closed his eyes, took in a deep breath, and tried to reach his calm center.

The Redeemer

Some days later

Zuko got up from his meditative pose as he stared at the portrait of his mother. A solemn expression came across his face. "Mother…I don't know what to do. I've spent so long chasing the Avatar. I've spent so long chasing after my lost sense of honor. When Kuzon had me at his mercy…he let me go. I saw the anger, hate and frustration in her eyes. He was ready to kill me. And then he stopped. I still don't understand why. He had mercy on me and told me to forget my mission." He then shook his head. "You told me to stay true to myself. I promised you I would. Nothing makes sense anymore. I don't want to hurt anyone else. I don't want to become my father. I sometimes wonder if all this carnage and destruction is really worth earning my place back home." He then stared again at the painting before shaking his head. "None of this makes…"

The banished prince was then interrupted in his musings by Iroh. The gray-haired man put his hands behind his back and smiled. "Prince Zuko. We are close to Kyoshi Island. I thought it would be wise to inform you." Zuko blinked, turned to his uncle and nodded, "Thank you Uncle."

Iroh couldn't help notice the conflicted look in his nephew's eyes. He then walked forward and put his hands on his nephew's shoulders smiling. He's thinking about his destiny. Good. I am relieved. "Is everything alright?" Zuko just sighed. "No. Not a thing. Please excuse me Uncle. He then walked off without a word.

Kuzon crossed his arms at Suki. "Sorry. You want me to do what?"

Suki smiled adoringly as she put her hands together. "Put on Kyoshi's makeup and our outfit. The sisters and I want to see you in it!"

Nova, Kivi and Hin Wi all giggled and gave Kuzon a smiling nod.

Suki then gestured to the armor stand next to her. Kuzon then stared at Suki and then at the armor stand. "I don't know about this. How am I supposed to fight in that get up?"

Suki smiled and put a hand on his shoulder. "We'll show you. Just please try it on. It would really mean a lot to me." She then pouted at the firebender. "Please. It would really mean a lot to us."

Katara chuckled and crossed her arms, smirking. "She has a point sweetie. You have been reincarnated as a woman many times. Don't tell me you're too macho to honor one of your ancestors just because she's a woman."

Kuzon blinked in shock as his face turned red. He turned to her scowling, "What? Of course not! Don't believe that for a second!"

Katara snickered and teasingly smiled, "Then prove me wrong. Put it on."

Kuzon just rolled his eyes and sighed. "Fine. I'll show you. I'll put it on right now."

Suki smiled with glee and clapped her hands together. "Wonderful! Sisters! Let's assist!" She then grabbed Kuzon's arm and pulled him to his feet. One of the other girls grabbed his other arm.

He glared at her growling, "Hey! Hold on a second!"

The Kyoshi Warriors then dragged Kuzon off into a changing room.

Sokka just crossed his arms chuckling, "Better him than me. I've learned to respect those girls but that armor is way too clunky for me. I prefer something lighter."

Katara just smirked and elbowed her brother in the side. "I could try it on. Maybe one day."

Kuzon came out of the door dressed in the armor and makeup of a Kyoshi Warrior.

Katara felt her heart leap when she saw him. She then put her hands behind her back, leaned in to get a better look, and smiled flirtatiously. "Wow. You look very handsome. I thought I looked good in makeup. As if my heart couldn't swoon any more. The makeup really brings out your eyes."

Kuzon just smiled. "Well I am glad you like it sweetie."

She then kissed him on the cheek. "I do." Suki smiled, "I'd have to agree with you Katara. He does look rather handsome."

Suddenly Kunicio rushed into the doorway. "Suki…Girls….Come quickly! The Fire Nation has invaded! They are on our shores! One of our sisters has spotted their boats landing on our shores!"

Suki turned to her with a deadly look in her eyes. She then turned to the group of Kyoshi Warriors. "Alright girls! Battle stations! Surround the town! Seek and destroy our enemies!"

All of the Kyoshi Warriors gave her a nod as they rushed outside of the barracks. Suki then turned to Kuzon with a wry smirk. "Tell me Kuzon. You up to living to Kyoshi's namesake and reputation?"

Kuzon's eyes turned deadly serious. "I fight with the people of Kyoshi Island."

Suki grinned, "Glad to hear it Kuzon."

Katara's eyes turned serious as well, "Count Sokka and I in as well. We're in charge of keeping the Avatar safe."

Sokka nodded with a grin. "That and cracking Fire Nation skulls."

Zuko continued to march on into the outskirts of the island. He then stood in salute and turned to his men. "Search throughout the town. He has to be somewhere." As they continued to search…they found the town deserted. Doors had been kicked in and windows had been broken in but to no avail.

Zuko growled in frustration and he let off his fire fists, blowing off flame and smoke. "Where is he?" He then turned his anger on his uncle. "Uncle! Your man said he'd be here, correct?"

Iroh smiled sagely, "Why yes. I paid Gin Han a large amount of coin for the information. We should be right on the Avatar's location."

Kuzon then glared at the other firebender, loudly yelling to get his attention. "I'm right here Zuko!"

The banished prince and his men all turned to face the Avatar.

Zuko just glared at him with folded arms. Part of him wanted to let Kuzon go. Part of him knew this was wrong. Part of him knew he was going down the wrong path. The other part of him desired redemption through his father's love. And that part of him was willing to go to any lengths to get it. Even killing or capturing the traitor who saved his life. "I give you one chance to come quietly Kuzon! Take it or die! Either way ... .You are coming with me traitor!"

Kuzon glared back with an equal amount of fierceness in his eyes . "I told you to leave me be ... .and yet you return to fight me again! Why?"

Zuko's golden eyes then flared up. "You are the ticket to my honor! My ticket home! I must get back in my father's good graces! Whatever price I have to pay….It will be worth seeing you in chains!"

Kuzon took in a deep breath through his nose, closed his eyes and locked eyes with Zuko. Remembering Kyoshi's words to him last they spoke…he sighed inwardly and got into his firebending stance with a cold look in his eyes. "If it is death you seek…then you shall have it…Prince Zuko." He and Katara both faced down the royal firebender. He threw his arms back and jumped up in the air trying to land a flying kick on the firebender.

Zuko growled as he blocked the attack with his wrists.

The two then began fiercely dueling with one another trying to land fire punches and kicks on one another.

Suki blinked as she watched the Avatar fight the Banished Prince. "Is he going to be alright fighting Prince Zuko on his own?"

Katara put a hand on her shoulder and nodded seriously. "Kuzon will be fine. He's a master firebender and is pretty good at his waterbending. He's got an edge on Zuko. Let's just do what we can with Zuko's troops. We'll regroup to back him up later."

Suki smiled and nodded. "Okay. You got it."

Katara watched with worry as they got further and further away. I would go help Kuzon but it would be an unbalanced fight since Zuko's firebending would counter my waterbending. I'll have to have faith in him. Be safe sweetie. She then walked beside Suki and drew her water round her. "You and your warriors up to this Suki? Sokka and I fought these firebenders back at the Invasion of Agna Qel'a. They are violent, driven and ferocious."

Suki smirked as she turned her head to her, "We're Kyoshi Warriors Katara. We fight on until death."

Katara smirked back at her. "We are of the same mind then." She then turned to her left. "You ready Sokka?"

Sokka gave her a nod and a savage grin. "Ready and willing sis."

She then nodded. "Then let us go. The more we take out. The easier it is for Kuzon." She then rushed in with water whips on her arms. She whipped one arm at one group of men. This sent them flying back. She then whipped the other arm at the other group.

Suki rushed in and jumped, kneeling one of the soldiers in the face. Another came at her. She unfolded her fan and threw it at him. It hit him hard in the chest. He was sent flying. Another came at her with a spear. She then tossed the other fan at him. It hit him and he was sent flying.

Sokka struck one soldier in the side with his club. The man screamed and clutched his side as he fell down hard. He then struck another one across the face knocking him down hard. He then let out a sigh of relief. "That's for the Water Tribe." Noticing two soldiers rushing up towards him, he quickly drew his boomerang with one hand and aimed it at them throwing it. It managed to nail both of the soldiers in the head. They soon fell to the ground. Sokka managed to catch the boomerang as it flew back to him. He put it back in its holster.

Zuko and Kuzon were fiercely fighting one another.

Kuzon then landed a fire punch across the Fire Prince's face.

Zuko took a step back heavily breathing. He slightly grunted as he felt the slight burn on his skin. He then got into his firebending stance. "You are as fierce as ever traitor. To be expected. But this battle will not end in my defeat."

Kuzon then got in his stance as well. "You're right. I let you live last time. I'm not making that same mistake again."

The two rushed at one another again with killing intent.

Kuzon drilled him with a knee to the face.

This sent the Prince reeling back. He managed to regain his footing and snarled. Wiping the blood from his nose, he rushed in with fire fists. A right. A left.

Kuzon dodged them and landed a kick to the left shin.

Zuko growled in frustration as he felt a bone snap.

Kuzon then landed a pointed kick to the face.

This sent Zuko pummeling down to the ground.

The royal prince growled as he glared back at him.

Kuzon suddenly placed a hand on his face as he felt the burning sensation. "Aaah! It burns!"

Zuko glared and shot some flames trying to throw Kuzon off balance.

Kuzon tripped up and fell on his back. He groaned as he felt a bone snap in his shin. "Grr!" He tried to stand himself back up. I need to hide.

Zuko growled in frustration as he chased after him hobbling on his hurt foot. "Get back here traitor!" He began sending fire fists after Kuzon.

Kuzon then jumped forward and landed on his hands. He then kicked up some flame with a backwards kick.

The force of the flames hit Zuko hard in the right shoulder. He groaned and screamed in pain as he cowered back.

Kuzon tried to stand back up and move but managed to only trip himself over a rock. He hit his left knee and rolled hard on the ground for a bit. Landing on his back, he groaned in pain. In the intense fight, he had managed to injure his left knee and left shin. He was dizzy and disorieneted unable to defend himself. He then heard the sound of Zuko's groaning as he slowly walked towards him.

Zuko grunted in pain as he balanced himself by placing a hand on the tree trunk. He then grabbed Kuzon, picked him up, looked him in the eyes and raised his left hand setting it alight with flame. "Today…the Avatar dies."

Suddenly a boomerang fell in the air and struck Zuko in the head. The attack threw the Fire Prince off balance as he began to stumble around disoriented. He managed to stabilize himself against a tree.

Katara then walked up with an especially cold look in her eyes. "Hello Zuko."

Zuko met her eyes and growled. "You!" He tried to attack with a series of unfocused flame attacks.

Katara easily blocked them with her waterbending walls. She then spoke in a rather cold and mocking tone. "My. My. Someone's not focusing on their bending. Pitiful" She then raised her arms and summoned a large water wave. "My turn." She then gathered enough water for a huge wave and launched it full force at him.

It sent him crashing hard against a tree trunk. He fell face first, gasping and groaning in pain. He managed to stand himself back up. "Gah!"

Katara then did some motions with her hands and blew on the water. This froze Zuko in place as all the ice froze him to the tree trunk.

Katara then sighed as she took in a breath.

Zuko, feeling the cold of the ice, growled through his shivers, "Y-You…won't stop me...I'll find him. I will always find him. He will be my prisoner."

Katara then drew ice to her fingertips and drew them close to his neck.

He suddenly felt a chill down his spine as his eyes widened. Is this fear I'm feeling…from a snow peasant of all people?

Katara turned to her brother. "How is he Sokka? Is he okay?"

Sokka chuckled as he put two fingers on Kuzon's pulse. He then shook his head. "The kid'll be fine sis. He's a tough one, remember?"

Katara gave her brother a serious nod. "Good. I'm glad." She then turned her attention to Zuko.

He glared back at her fiercely, "Well…do it! Finish the job snow peasant! Kill me! I'll never stop hunting him! Never!"

Katara's eyes narrowed as her ice fingers got close to his neck. She then stopped and shook her head.

Zuko blinked at her wide-eyed as his eyes narrowed. "You…You hesitate. Of course you do. You're weak. Inferior. Soon…your capacity for mercy will be your…"

Katara then put a hand on the ice prison and released him. He blinked at her confused. "What…What are you…" She then grabbed him by the left arm and soon rendered it cold to the touch as she then snapped it at the elbow with a hand twitch.

Zuko growled and screamed in pain. He then fell to his knees. "Gaah!"

Katara spoke in a spine-tingling tone that caused Zuko's blood to run cold. "You feel that? That's your elbow snapping at the bone. You forget…your body is filled with water. I can kill you without a single thought. Hell…I want to kill you. Every bone and instinct in my body wants to end you." She then sighed and shook her head, "But I am not going to do it."

Zuko glared up at her. "I..don't understand. The…traitor and I…share the same blood. Tell me what makes him so different from me."

Katara glared down at him with stormy blue eyes. "You really need to ask?" She grabbed his right arm, froze it, and snapped it at the elbow.

He screamed again.

Katara just stared coldly, "He chooses to bring balance to the world. You…seek to destroy it." She then crossed her arms at him. "One last warning. Come near him again and I will end you. This is your last warning." She then walked over to where Kuzon was and let out a sigh of relief. She then smiled sweetly as she knelt down, "Hey sweetie. Can you hear me?"

Kuzon groaned in frustration and pain as he nodded. "I'm…fine. I can't move though. I think I've banged up my knee and shin."

Katara smiled and nodded, "Let me check." She then placed her hand on his injured leg as she closed her eyes. She could feel the fractures underneath the muscle. She then smiled crookedly, "Yeah. You did. I don't think you'll be firebending with this leg anytime soon." She then picked him up in her arms. His face turned red. She smiled, "It's okay. I've got you now."

She then caught sight of Iroh rushing past her. "Prince Zuko! Prince Zuko!"

She sighed with a hint of guilt. The waterbender had a hint of respect for the old firebender. He hadn't engaged her, Sokka or any of the Kyoshi Warriors. He seemed to be a rather peaceful man. Another part of her disliked him however. He wasn't exactly trying to stop his nephew from killing the boy she loved. She then shook her head. I'm sorry Iroh but I won't let Zuko hurt him. He's the best hope the world has. He's the best hope I have. I'd die to keep him safe. I hope for Zuko's sake he takes the damn hint this time. She then turned to her brother speaking in an authoritative tone, "Come on Sokka. We're done here."

Sokka chuckled with a grin. "I'm right behind you sis."

Suki smiled as she walked over to them and bowed. "The rest of the men have retreated to the enemy ship. We have won this day."

Katara smirked back, "That we have."

Suki's eyes then widened with concern. "Is Kuzon going to be alright?"

Katara smiled at her and then at Kuzon. "He'll be fine. He's just hurt. Do you guys have medical equipment? I need to patch him up."

Suki nodded seriously and bowed to the waterbender. "Yes! Please follow me!" She then turned her back to Katara and marched off.

Later on...

Meanwhile, Iroh held Zuko in his hands.

The firebender was groaning in pain.

He then shook his head sadly, "Oh Zuko."

Some of the men from the Redeemer rushed to them. "General Iroh. What should we do?"

Iroh turned to them with a serious look and yelled. "Abandon the mission! We ride off for the Palace City!" He then held his nephew's face in his hands. "Don't worry Zuko! I'll get you out of here!"

Sorry for the long wait!