…Rage Of The Black Dragon…
Warnings:This chapter contains:- cursing, sadness, angst, darkness, violence, mention of injury, mention of a near-death by drowning, mention of mental health issues, possessiveness, and Aang losing it! All reviews are appreciated.
P.P.S.: This is an Omegaverse story as in Alpha/Beta/Omega dynamic, with Alpha Aang and Omega Zuko, so you have been warned! And it is also a time travel one! The titles that would be used for the Omegaverse dynamic in this story, are from the Chinese fandom (As the story would have many customs and cultures from southern and eastern Asia; China specifically):-
Alpha - Qianyuan
Omega - Kunze
Beta – Zhongyong
P.P.P.S: This is a dark (And I mean really dark!) story that takes place in the ALTA's timeline (The original show, not the live adaptation, but who knows, maybe I will add a pointer or two from the NATLA after I watch it?) to some extent but with many major changes such as Aang being aged up to sixteen and Zuko being OOC; this story is also the first part of the series that would follow the first chapter but diverge after a certain point.
Chapter 7
Zuko was annoyed… so annoyed and angry to the point of spitting fire… sighing, Zuko gazed at the crew running around and preparing the ship for their fight with Captain Zhao and his lackeys, giving orders now and then to strengthen their defense or come up with a plan to utilize their surroundings to their advantage, while coming up with tightknit plan that would kill Captain Zhao this time, and save Zuko from the headache that had been following him for the past three years.
So annoying… Zuko curled his lips into a sneer as he gazed at the ship in the distance with annoyance unmatched by anyone around; feeling nothing but fury at the fact that Ozai had sent Captain Zhao to track him once more, and ruin his day with his presence… just when Zuko was feeling content and happy, Ozai had to rear his ugly head and destroyed his peace by sending the most annoyed man to ever live after him.
So, so annoying! …Zuko couldn't help hissing, wondering what he should do this time to stop that annoying vermin from following him and hammer into his head the fact that Zuko would never be captured and brought back to the Fire Nation alive, not even if the only thing left of him was a cold corpse, rotten in the bottom of the ocean… Ugh! …three years of chasing him around the world, and Ozai still didn't understand that Zuko would never be brought back, or chose to stand by his side, even when it meant his death and the world going up in flames once more…
I cannot complain too much, though… not when I got that trait from him… Zuko huffed, remembering a past where he spent years chasing after his beloved, being too stubborn to see reason with the only goal in his mind was catching the Avatar one way or another no matter what he faced or lost during his chase… But couldn't he send someone else?! …Zuko couldn't help but complain about this point, his lips twisting into another frown when he once more was reminded that the person Ozai sent after him was none other than that annoying Zhao.
Captain Zhao, in the past Commander Zhao (And before that in a life long gone, Admiral Zhao), an annoying man who followed Zuko since he left the Fire Nation years ago, hellbent on bringing him back and restoring his pride after he was made a mockery when he fell from Ozai's favor the day, he brought him Zuko's hair and his parting words, sending Ozai to a fit of madness unseen before.
Captain Zhao, who Ozai had burned his face in his rage for failing to bring Zuko home; Captain Zhao, who kept getting demoted as he failed to capture Zuko, always returning to the Fire Nation and being labeled as a failure by everyone around him. Captain Zhao, the annoying man who followed Zuko everywhere he went, tracking him down like a hound following its prey, trying to prove to everyone out there, that he was still worthy when long ago, everyone had seen his true colors when again and again, he didn't hesitate to throw people in the line of fire if it meant getting out of his dilemma unscathed.
Captain Zhao, the man Zuko had laughed and laughed until he was breathless when he had seen years and years ago after his defect; feeling amused and weirded out, as he was forced to look at a parallel, he had created when he left the Fire Nation and cut every tie he had with the royal family. Zuko could only laugh until he was breathless every time, he looked at Zhao, because there… standing right there! Was his scorned younger self who was kicked out of his home, had his face burned and his honor stripped off him because he stood for what was right in the face of his father's madness… there was Zuko's younger self, who was filled with nothing but anger and contempt for the world around him as he tried to prove to anyone out there that he was worthy, falling into anger and despair every time he failed. A parallel as clear as the sun every time Zhao showed up, half of his body and face burned, while running after Zuko and screaming and shouting to everyone who heard that he would bring him to the Fire Nation and restore his honor…
Here was Zhao who Zuko couldn't help but giggle every time he saw, and he had to wonder if the fates badly needed someone to play the role of the scorned Prince hated by all, in their grand scheme of things and had chosen Zhao to play that role when Zuko abandoned everything and created another path to walk on. Zhao, who, unlike Zuko, had emersed himself in Ozai's delusions of power and promises; discarded Agni's rules and laws if it meant achieving his dreams. Zhao, who, unlike Zuko, never held goodness in his heart, and abandoned everyone around him, if it meant reaching highs unmatched… Zhao… who Zuko knew if left unchecked, would become nothing but a thorn in his side, preventing him from saving his beloved and succeeding in his plans.
"…Zuko?" Aang's gentle call snapped Zuko out of his trace; turning toward his beloved, a small smile crossed over his face, and Zuko could only hum gently… count on Aang to bring a smile to his face and banish any doubts with his presence alone. "I came to tell you that Sokka and I, could manage a sneak attack on their ship, and destroy it from the inside." Aang offered; his words immediately brought a harsh frown to Zuko's lips, any positive emotion he felt before had been wiped and replaced by worry and restlessness at the thought of Aang being in danger.
"Yeah! I mean, if the enemy's ship is similar in layout and engines, I think we could manage to destroy it from within! We don't even need to engage in a sea battle; just Aang and I would be enough to sneak in and out just like that!" Sokka snapped his fingers, grinning proudly and looking so happy with such a plan.
"No!" Zuko snapped, feeling terrified at the thought of Aang facing Zhao, the madman who more than once managed to capture his beloved and nearly wiped out an entire race to further Ozai's plans; a madman his beloved was not prepared to face. "No!" Zuko glared harshly at Aang when his stupid husband opened his mouth and looked ready to protest, ignoring the glare Zuko was sending him and Sokka.
"But Zuko-!" Aang frowned, looking angry and slightly annoyed, no doubt knowing the plan, Sokka and he had come up with would work and give everyone the time he wanted to escape unscathed; Zuko knew that it would work, and he no doubt knew that if asked everyone on the ship would be happy for such plan, but this was Aang, his Aang! And hell, if Zuko was going to send Aang to the viper nest on a golden plate.
"No, but!" Zuko hissed, raising his hand to poke Aang's chest a few times. "Do you know what will happen if you expose who you are? Be it an Air Nomad or the Avatar?" Zuko questioned, getting a frown from Aang who once more looked ready to protest. "Aang, we managed to keep your existence a secret from the Fire Nation and Ozai; we managed to reach this far because no one in the Fire Nation knows about the Avatar being found, if you… no, if a word gets to Ozai about the Avatar being alive, then every goddamn soldier from the Fire Nation would be after our heads!" These words made Aang press his lips into a thin line, gazing at the distance and looking so angry and helpless as everything was thrown in his face as plain as day.
"B-but… if Aang's existence becomes known, wouldn't that be good?" Katara questioned, looking at Aang, and then the direction where Zhao's ship was. "I mean… wouldn't it give the Earth Benders and Water Benders hope and a chance to fight?" Here, Zuko tried to keep his face neutral, not allowing it to twitch into a scowl… So, it was you who spread the word back then! …Zuko almost shouted and scolded the girl, before he managed to calm himself, knowing that fighting with Katara about something like this would only bring a headache and an unbearable amount of pain.
"No, nothing good would come out of it. half of the Earth Kingdom is under the Fire Nation's rule, the Northern Water Tribes had long since isolated themselves and refused to get involved, and you already know what happened to your home; spreading Aang's existence when the situation is like this will only make us an easy target for stronger and more experience Generals to track us, instead Zhao who will fail either way." Sokka frowned harshly, sharing a look with Aang, that made his beloved shift and hold his staff tightly.
"But we can't stay silent and do nothing!" Sokka complained, looking a second away from throwing a temper tantrum and making Zuko's life harder than it already was. "That's like us becoming sitting Turtle Ducks, waiting for them to come and cook us!" Sokka pointed in the direction of Zhao's ship, his words causing Zuko to twitch and frown at the annoying metaphor.
"Ok, fine, do you by a chance know the advanced forms of Water Bending?" Zuko asked the three of them, causing the trio to look at one another before Katara tried to raise her hand. "Advanced enough to Water Bend the vortexes around us?" And here, Katara lowered her hand, flushing red with embarrassment and looking at the ground. "Exactly. No advanced forms of Water Bending, only an Air Bender, and an untrained Avatar at that." Aang looked like a kicked turtle duck at the insult, which made Zuko raise his hand and flick Aang on the forehead, causing the Air Bender to whine and raise his hand to rub the abused forehead gently; but at least Aang looked more amused than helpless and sad.
"Fine, fine, you convinced us, you won! We would stay hidden and not show ourselves to your company, bye!" Sokka smiled widely as he put his hands on Katara and Aang's shoulders, dragging them to the cockpit and ignoring their protests as they tried to free themselves.
"You know they won't stay hidden…" Iroh's amused voice came from behind Zuko, snapping him out of his thoughts, and making him sigh, because he knew exactly what his uncle meant by his words. "Their plan was a good one, and would have probably saved us a lot of time and casualties." Iroh stood beside him, causing Zuko's lips to twitch into a frown as he gazed in the direction, Sokka had dragged both Aang and Katara.
"I know… but it's not time yet…" Iroh hummed and gazed at Zuko from the corner of his eye, his hand running over his beard with a thoughtful look on his face. "Besides, the casualties would be on Zhao's side, not us." Zuko huffed, not even wanting to think about the pain in the ass that was Zhao and how he would no doubt cause many incidents and deaths because he was hellbent on catching Zuko, he wouldn't care about the dangers that he would face in his quest.
"Zuko… sooner or later, Aang's existence will be known by all…" Zuko stilled as he heard these words, not turning to his uncle who let out a sigh before he came and pat Zuko gently on the shoulder, trying to offer his support. "Want it or not, a secret like this, won't remain a secret forever, especially when Aang is everyone's last hope in defeating Ozai and restoring balance." Iroh's gentle tone made Zuko turn his head away, clutching his fists tightly to stop his hands from shaking.
"I know…" Zuko sighed after a while, looking in Aang's direction one last time before he turned away, planning on going to the front of the deck and waiting there. "I just wanted Aang to Master Water Bending before it happened… less hassle this way," Zuko grumbled, summoning a chuckle from Iroh who followed him, with a knowing smile.
"Dear nephew… you may think your way is the right one in this situation, and objectively speaking it may be; but that does not mean it's the only way" Zuko frowned and raised his eyebrow, waiting for his uncle to continue. "Our ways are our ways, and the Spirits' ways are theirs… so when the Spirits decide to involve themselves in your plans, don't get too angry Zuko; you may hate something which would bring forth fortune in the future." Zuko scrunched his nose, gazing at his uncle with narrowed eyes.
"Why do I feel like all of a sudden you jinxed all of my plans?" Zuko inquired, feeling a shiver run down his spine as he tried to decipher his uncle's metaphors; hearing this, Iroh let out a nervous laugh, patting Zuko on the head while shouting 'Lieutenant Jee, wait!' zooming away so fast, that Zuko didn't even have time to catch his uncle and question him… Zuko could only let out an annoyed sigh…
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This was going to be a long day…
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Despite what everyone had expected, the enemy's ship reached them during sunset instead of dawn, zooming at full speed; resulting in grumbles from everyone on his ship, as the crew no doubt talked about how Zhao was nothing but a reckless madman who endangered everyone within the vicinity by forcing them to go at full speed in a dangerous sea. Zuko frowned harshly, but stood in his place beside Iroh, on the deck; gazing at the ship that was near enough to see everyone on it, but far away from Fire Bending range; unable to get closer due to the raging sea and the whirlpools around them.
"Captain Zhao, to what do I own the pleasure of seeing you again?" Iroh called out with a pleasant voice, a cheerful smile on his face even when his eyes were narrowed, taking Zhao and the people with him; assessing them and categorizing everything into neat boxes to help Iroh when the time came.
"General Iroh, Prince Zuko." Captain Zhao called out, a twisted form of a smile on his face as he stood near the rails, gazing at Iroh and then at Zuko before crossing his hands behind his back. "Let's stop the formalities and pleasantries, shall we? After all, I am sure you all know, that I am here to bring Prince Zuko back home; so, I will appreciate it if the two of you come with me without a fight." Zhao stated, glaring at Iroh and Zuko, looking a step away from sending them a fire blast but being unable to do so, in fear of harming Zuko or his uncle, which no doubt would result in Ozai's rage and scorn.
A harsh gasp was heard, and Zuko turned his head slightly to see Katara, gazing at him with wide eyes, behind her, was Sokka who silenced her by putting his hand over her mouth, and behind them was Aang, who was wearing what looked like a cloak to hide himself, and gazing at the ship not that far with a frown on his face. Sighing to himself, Zuko could only grit his teeth and subtly point to one of the crew to take Aang and the rest away from here; being grateful for the distance between them and Zhao's ship, knowing that the man couldn't have possibly heard Katara from that distance unless she started shouting hysterically, which knowing her, she would probably do so in a minute or two if no one stop her.
"Captain Zhao, it has been three years since we started this game of cat and mouse; even a dog will understand and learn new tricks during this time. The question is, are you so far below canines in intelligence that you and Ozai still chase after someone who cut ties with the Fire Nation?" Zuko inquired casually, tilting his head and smiling in amusement when he saw Zhao's face turn red in anger.
"Still as disrespectful as you were back then." Zhao hissed, taking a step forward, looking so close to jumping toward their ship, regardless of the distance; but in the last second, the Zhongyong growled, taking a deep breath and straightening himself. "It does not matter though, I am sure Fire Lord Ozai, will be able to break that stubborn personality of yours as soon as we get you back to Caldera." The man sneered, face red, and loath pouring off every inch of his body.
Unable to help it, Zuko then and there laughed loudly, almost doubling over as his body shook; making everyone jump at the sudden noise, and many snarled and glared at Zhao for his disrespect and disgusting implication, be it from Zhao's crew or Zuko's. "Ah, this is the funniest thing I have managed to hear in months." Zuko chuckled, wiping the tears from the corner of his eyes, laughing at Zhao's plight and ignoring his uncle's concerned looks, because really, this was so funny on many disturbing levels that Zuko could only laugh hearing it. "The fact that people still think Ozai will succeed in doing something he failed to do for years now, is so amusing, it's almost sickening." Zuko snickered, remembering all those painful years under Azula and Ozai's clutch, the people he lost, the family that was taken from him, his beloved and child; but still in the end, Zuko managed to stand up and kill Ozai, burning him until nothing (Not even his ashes) remain in the mortal world. "Unlike the sheep, Ozai loves to keep in his court, and unlike the dogs who expose their bellies and follow his orders; I will not learn, nor accept him and his reign of madness, unlike Azula, and… unlike you…" Zuko's grin widened when he saw Zhao losing control little by little, allowing his emotions to get the best of him, and why wouldn't it? When the man had reached his wit's end, chasing after Zuko for years only to fail in capturing him... Ah... just thinking about this brought the memories of a past long gone when darkness and despair had held Zuko in its clutches every time he failed to capture the Avatar. "So please spare us the embarrassment you will suffer and return to your Master like the good dog you are because seriously, things started to get boring with this repetitive play." Zuko drawled out, smirking when Zhao finally lost it and let out a snarl, almost hurling himself from the ship then and there if it wasn't for someone taking hold of him and pulling him back.
"That's it! That's it, you little shit! Attack!" Zhao ordered, finally losing it, and ordered everyone to attack, even when some of his crew protested his mad decision. "Shut it! Do you dare question me?! By the orders of the Fire Lord, kill everyone and capture Prince Zuko!" Many faces twisted when hearing this, other than Zuko who let out a snort of amusement, knowing fully well, that Ozai (And by extent Zhao) had reached his wit's end, and decided to bring Zuko to Caldera one way or another, no matter the consequence of his actions.
"Focus!" Zuko shouted, unsheathing his Dao Swords and intercepting an arrow heading straight to one of the soldiers behind him. "Everyone, be careful they brought the Yuyan Archers!" Just as Zuko said these words, a rain of arrows launched at them, resulting in many curses as his crew, Fire Bend their way out of danger, and burned the arrows, some running for protection while others using their armor as shields.
It didn't take long for the fight to start, his ship using their canons and Fire Bending, and Zhao only using the Yuyan Archers and trying to trap his ship with chains, while boarding by launching themselves at them using their fire, not daring to bring any heavy weapons in their fight in fear of agitating the sea and the vortexes surrounding them (But more than that, Zuko knew that what they truly feared was destroying his ship and ending up killing or injuring him during this process. They were after all, in a time where most if not all of the Fire Nation still believed in the laws of Agni and feared summoning Agni's rage by daring to hurt one of his beloved. Right now, the Fire Nation was on the cusp of civil war after what happened three years ago when Ozai broke the laws of Agni Kai and dared to hurt a Kunze, so hearing the news about how Ozai or the military dared to hurt Zuko just as they did three years ago, would result in an uproar not even Ozai would be able to suppress this time).
"Head deeper into the sea, full speed! Don't allow them to board!" Zuko shouted, cutting the chains thrown at his ships with his swords, getting irritated by the second as the fight continued; shouts that repeated his orders were heard, and it wasn't that long before Zuko felt the ship picking up in speed, using its smaller state to move swiftly around the raging sea, avoiding whirlpools and heavy chains shooting at them, using a speed that Zhao's large vessel couldn't even dream achieving.
"Watch out!" Zuko heard someone shouting from behind, and just when Zuko turned around to see his attacker, he was greeted by Aang, who whirled his staff and broke the arrows heading toward both of them; causing Zuko to press his lips tightly, not knowing if he should feel warm and fuzzy at the thought of his beloved defending him, or slapping the man silly for daring to show himself when Zuko had repeatedly told him to hide and not show himself.
"Wooohooo! Take that you Jerkbender!" Sokka's loud voice made Zuko turn toward the Zhongyong, almost groaning in pain when he saw his idiotic friend being loud and proud, fighting beside Lieutenant Jee and throwing his boomerang around while bonking Zhao's crew on the head using a metal pipe, not that far away from him was Katara who was doing her best Water Bending and freezing the chains Zhao's crew kept on throwing at his ship to the point of breaking (Maybe after this was over, Zuko would thank his uncle's foresight of giving Katara the Water Bending scroll they found in Omashu, hoping she would be able to hone her skills until they reached the Northern Water Tribes where she would learn how to Master her skills).
"Aang, you Dunderhead! Have I not told you to stay hidden and not show your face at all?!" Zuko snapped, letting out his anger by kicking one of Zhao's crew and throwing him off the ship when he got on board; his harsh words made Aang wince a bit, but he continued to defend both of them from the arrows while pushing those who managed to board the ship off.
"Weeeelllll, I was gonna, really! But then that Gumflapper opened his mouth to say nasty -Woah, there buddy!- things and I couldn't help myself." Aang huffed, slamming the end of his staff in the face of one of the soldiers from Zhao's crew, wincing when he heard his shriek as he fell down into the water below. "And anyway, as long as I don't use my bending and wear this cloak, it will be fine!" Aang chirped happily, looking so proud of himself that Zuko could only bite his lower lip harshly to stop the amused huff wanting to leave his lips and the smile that threatened to break out.
"Uh-huh? Not using your bending? Do you even know how to fight without using your bending?" Zuko inquired, curiosity and suspicion painting themselves on his face, and he couldn't help but look at his beloved with skeptical eyes, having not once seen the Qianyuan fight anyone without using his Air Bending either as a defense or offense.
"I mean yeah," Aang answered easily, not even looking out of breath as he maneuvered his staff in a tricky move and threw his opponent overboard. "We may have been peaceful folks and depended mainly on our bending -Behind you!- but we were taught how to fight using the art of Shíbā Bān Bīngqì, but again, peaceful folks, and were not allowed to use weapons outside of training -Monkey Feathers!" Here Aang could only curse as he pulled Zuko behind him and out of the way of a Fire Missile, making the two of them gaze at the one who dared to use this technique and bristling when finding Zhao was the one who bending fire at them.
"How nice, just so you know I am going to question you about this la-Pervert!" Zuko screeched, kicking someone who touched his behind in the face, knocking them out (Even if it was accidentally, but shouting things like this usually shocked Fire Nation soldiers to the point of freezing, and that's what happened to the stunned man as he seemed to look like death-warmed him over and he all but dropped into a kowtow to apologize as if his life depended on it), by then, everyone heard that shout, and Iroh had a dark look on his face as he ordered everyone to hurry up and finish this fight.
"Uh… hey… Zuko, you know what? Why don't the two of us leave the fight to General Iroh, and go?" Aang questioned warily, side-eying Zhao's crew who froze in terror near the two of them not daring to get closer, not when one of their people was accused of being a pervert who touched a Kunze in that way.
"Prince Zuko!" A loud roar came not that far behind, causing the two of them to raise their heads and curse when they saw the caller was Zhao, who used his Fire Bending as a jet to launch himself at their ship and landed successfully on the deck. "Enough is enough! You are going to get your act straight and return to Caldera or else!" The man snarled, brawling toward the two, and looking a second away from losing it, causing Zuko to groan and mutter in annoyance.
"Seriously, how stupid does someone have to be to not understand a simple 'Fuck off'!" Zuko shouted angrily, redirecting a blast of fire, Zhao sent his way to the said man. "I said it three years ago, I will say it again. I claim no relationship with the Fire Lord who broke the laws of Agni and tramped all over Agni's rules. Anyone with two functioning brain cells will understand what this means, and stop this farce!" Zhao growled, shouting as he charged at Zuko, only to be flung back by Aang who used his staff as a fixed point and jumped to kick Zhao in the chest, sending him overboard.
"Zuko, let's go before -Wah!" Aang held Zuko's hand tightly, sticking his staff behind one of the pipes to stabilize them when the ship shook in a way that sent some people overboard. "Monkey Feathers! I think we got in the range of one of the whirlpools!" Zuko cursed hearing this, gazing around the deck to see many people gripping any object their hands could reach to stop themselves from being shaken and flung off the ship.
"Sokka! Go see whoever is behind the helm and direct the ship to safety, go now!" Zuko shouted when he saw Sokka being the closest person to the tower and by extension the cockpit; hearing his orders, Sokka, who was hugging one of the pipes with his whole body so as to not fly off the ship, cursed like a storm. Sokka looked around and whined when he saw no one near the tower other than him, before letting the pipe go and running like made toward the cockpit. "…We will crash…" Zuko groaned when the ship shook even worse than before.
"We won't crash…" Aang let out a nervous laugh, looking unconvinced even as he sent Zuko a reassuring look. "…Hopefully…" Aang mumbled to himself, and Zuko didn't even know if he should laugh loudly or groan in dismay… his ship was going to be destroyed again… just great! "Anyway, if we can go below the deck and get Appa out, then…" Aang couldn't even continue as the ship once more shook even more harshly, trying to resist the pull of the whirlpool they found themselves in.
"Hurry, hurry, let's-!" Zuko urged Aang, knowing that if it came to it, they would need to evacuate as fast as they could without delay. Zuko didn't even manage to take a step forward before a piercing pain took hold of his left leg, causing him to buckle and slam into the floor, gasping in pain as his body seized; looking behind, Zuko's eyes widened when he saw a Fire Whip wrapping around his leg courtesy of Zhao who held into the rail in one hand while trying to pull Zuko using the wipe.
"Zhao! You animal!" Iroh's roars could be heard all over the ship as he barreled toward Zhao, ignoring the danger of doing such a thing; before Zuko could shout at his uncle to back away or break the whip's hold, the ship lurched dangerously to the side, and Zuko accidentally let go of Aang's hand, getting pulled into Zhao's direction.
Perhaps Zhao didn't understand the real danger of what he did; perhaps he didn't understand the grave mistake he had committed, or maybe he was so lost in the madness that he didn't take into account that a battle like this should have never been fought or the consequences would be grave… consequences that seemed to fall on Zhao and bring horror on his face as he failed to catch Zuko, allowing him to plunge into the vortex below.
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"Zuko!"
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Was the only thing Zuko managed to hear before he was pulled down…
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(He let go…
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Aang didn't know how it happened; he didn't understand how it happened… but he let go… he let go!
One moment he was holding Zuko's hand tightly, planning on dragging him below the deck, away from the danger, and toward Appa where Aang would force Zuko to fly away using his bison because he knew just as everyone around here knew that Zuko's safety and wellbeing came first before everyone else.
One moment he was holding Zuko's hand in his; planning on dragging him away from this madness that was their fight in this dangerous zone. A fight even if they were reassured of winning because of the advantage they had, and because they knew that any enemy with two brain cells to rub together would understand how dangerous the situation was and back away; something Aang understood every time he flung someone overboard, Zhao didn't have the brain, which was why he continued to pursuit them even now.
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…Aang let go…
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One moment, Aang was holding onto Zuko tightly, and the next… the next… Zuko slammed into the deck, almost dragging Aang down too; before Aang even knew what happened, he smelled the scent of burning flesh; and saw the fire surrounding Zuko's leg, which burned and dragged him away.
Horror couldn't even describe what Aang felt at this moment, terror, and shock didn't even come close; Iroh's mad bellows only just managed to snap him out of his shock, and before he could do something to extinguish the fire and take Zuko away where he could be healed…
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He let go…
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Suddenly the world became deadly silent as he saw Zuko hurtling toward Zhao, who had a grin that twisted his face into a grotesque picture; suddenly everything was moving in slow motion as he saw Zhao fail to catch Zuko, allowing him to be thrown overboard and straight into the vortex below.
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…He let go…
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Aang could only feel numbness taking hold of every cell in his body, with every split second that passed and Zuko was getting closer and closer to the water. The confused and frightened look, Aang managed to glimpse in Zuko's eyes before was pulled away from Aang would forever be seared into his mind.
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He… he…
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An ear-piercing noise shook Aang's world, shaking everything around him to the point Aang felt his whole world unbinding from its roots, leaving him breathless and full of terror as his ears heard the splash that Zuko's body caused when it made contact with water.
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He… failed him… again…
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Terror finally became known, and slammed into Aang's body with full force, leaving him shaken and on the verge of hyperventilating as many emotions slammed into him at once, foreign and not, leaving him breathless and wrongfooted as he heard a sound so similar to breaking glass, that Aang wondered in a daze if it came from within his soul…
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"…You said together… you lied… that's ok, though… everybody lies… Aang…"
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Before Aang knew it, his body was moving on its own, rushing toward the vortex like a madman with a death wish. Terror was what moved his body, and fury blazed in his veins, ordering to bring retribution worse than death for a crime he allowed to happen without even being able to lift his hand and do something. Two sides warred within him, a dark one that demanded revenge for what Zhao had done to Zuko and the one that could only screech at his body to move faster and faster to reach Kunze.
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"Zuko!"
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Aang could only scream as he jumped…)
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He was being hurtling around; pushed and pulled, until he didn't know which way was up or which was down, only knowing that any minute now he would be dragged to the bottom of the ocean. A hysterical part of Zuko couldn't help but laugh at the fact that he survived being killed by Zhao's hands in the past, only to end up being killed in this life by him via this stupid vortex…. If I ever get out of this, I swear I will… Zuko could only think hysterically, trying to find his bearings in the hope of swimming to the bottom of this vortex and then crawling his way out.
His lungs screamed for air, and Zuko could only clamp his mouth shut and whirl his head around, trying to find an opening to escape. Terror hovered just out of reach, waiting for Zuko to lose his nerves and succumb to it so that he would lose his will to live and drown. His leg hurt like mad; the salty water around him aggravated his burns to the point Zuko couldn't even move his leg to swim, without feeling the shock racing through his veins, almost reminding him of that one time, Azula shot him full of lightning.
Even as Zuko fought to keep his rational mind and find a way out of this mess; trickles of terror couldn't help but sneak into his heart weighting him down and bringing out his fight or flight instincts to their full capacity, almost making him thrash around in hope of saving himself…. If only he could… the pressure of the vortex kept increasing, and his body kept burning with the need to breathe; Zuko was unable to fight anymore, and he opened his mouth against his will, his body's need for air had overcome his rational mind, forcing him to inhale the salty water surrounding him, bringing him closer to his death.
Before Zuko lost the fight with his body and succumbed to darkness, he felt his hand being held, before his whole body was pulled forward, and the water was forcefully expelled out of his lungs, shocking his body with the sudden changes going around him, to the point of almost hacking a lung as he coughed, and his ears rang to the point of pain. "Wha…?" Raising his head to gaze at his savior, Zuko's body could only freeze when he saw it was Aang who was holding him, surrounding them with a sphere made out of air.
What made the breath he finally regained leave his burning lungs once more, wasn't the fact that the person who saved him was his beloved (Because this was Aang, and knowing his stupid husband, the man would throw himself in danger if it meant saving lives), but the fact that Aang was in the Avatar State! The Avatar State, with glowing eyes and tattoos and crackling power, and shooting a beam of light toward the sky!
Damn… uncle really jinxed everything… A detached part of Zuko could only whisper, feeling so shocked and out of it, that he could only lean on Aang's chest, not having the capacity to hold himself up anymore, feeling his strength zapping out of him; suddenly tiredness and exhaustion slammed into his whole being, and he could only burrow in Aang's hold, clutching his beloved's robes tightly, forcing his body to stop shaking violently as he tried to banish the events from seconds ago out of his mind, planning on dealing with this when no one was watching him.
The sea was raging and rolling by the time they broke out of its unforgiving grip, and powerful winds rolled the ships around, slamming into the metal and breaking it in a frightening display that made Zuko feel concerned for the safety of his ship and crew. Knowing from what Sokka had told him in the past, how Aang seemed to have struggled with the Avatar State and would have killed them one too many if Aang hadn't managed to control it somehow.
Even from above, Zuko managed to see the shocked and terrified faces of every person on his ship and the ship not that far, as they gazed at Aang with horror; even his uncle's face held traces of terror and shock in them, telling Zuko how unprepared everyone truly was for the Avatar's return, even when they knew Aang was the Avatar and they were traveling to the Northern Water Tribes so he would learn Water Bending.
"T-t-the Av-!" Zhao's choked voice snapped Aang's attention toward him, causing his beloved's face to twist into a frightening display of pure rage, that Zuko had never seen on his beloved's face before, even when facing Aang in the Avatar State. Zhao didn't even finish his stutter before Aang used his Air Bending to levitate Zhao off the ship and throw him in the middle of the vortex, uncaring of the man's terrified screech as he flung him to what would be his death.
As soon as they touched the deck, the sphere of air surrounding them exploded, sending blasts of air directed toward their enemies with such precision Zuko was stunned as he saw Zhao's crew being thrown overboard, leaving only his uncle, Katara, and his crew, who looked hesitate and frightened not knowing what to do next. "Zuko!" Iroh called out, taking a few steps toward him but then stilling in his place when Aang's glowing eyes fell on him; Aang tilted his head to the side as if trying to recognize the person standing not that far from him before he let out a hum.
It wasn't long before Aang lowered Zuko gently to the deck and turned around, which gave his uncle the chance to rush toward Zuko, checking him over, and freezing with a horrified look on his face when he saw Zuko's injured leg. His heart pounded in his chest, and skipped several beats, seeing that look on his uncle's face, but still, Zuko refused to look down toward his leg, opting to gaze at Aang who stood on the ship's rail.
Zuko could only watch in mute fascination as Aang created a powerful gust of wind that sent their ship sailing out of the danger zone and in the same breath, Aang managed to create a huge tsunami that flipped Zhao's ship and dragged it to the bottom of the ocean….
He killed… Zuko almost laughed then and there, something dark in his heart unwinding at that thought, and he almost became hysterical at the realization that Aang was capable of doing such a thing when in the past he refused to hurt or kill until his death… but here! Right here, while he was in the Avatar State, Aang killed people (Even if indirectly) without a care! If only Zuko knew it only took the Avatar State to make Aang abandon his stupid moralities then he would…
"Y-your leg… we need…" Iroh stuttered, his hands shaking, too afraid to lower them and touch Zuko's leg; Zuko who finally snapped out of his daze could only gaze at his uncle, not daring to look down, especially when he knew the dangers and infections that could result from getting burn and then mishandling the situation. "Healer! Lieutenant Jee! The healer! Bring me the healer?!" Iroh shouted, looking frantic and emotional, something that Zuko only saw once, and that was when Lu Ten had died.
Don't look, don't look… sometimes, people go in shock from a sight that may look grave but is superficial, don't look… Zuko chanted in his mind, refusing to look down, even when he felt his body start shaken at the realization of what happened to his leg if the grave look on both his uncle's and the healer's faces was anything to go by…
Footsteps came from the right, and Zuko turned around to see Aang, still in the Avatar State, not looking even close to snapping out of it; a sight that terrified Zuko because it never happened before from what Zuko remembered and from what Sokka and Toph had told him.
Seeing Aang getting closer Iroh moved to stand between him and Zuko, trying to smile at Aang, even when Zuko could clearly see his uncle barely holding it. "Avatar Aang, if you could please…" Aang narrowed his still glowing eyes, and once more tilted his head, but instead of looking at Iroh, he was gazing at Zuko with a look that even the Kunze didn't know how to interpret.
When Zuko saw Aang, Water Bending a small ball of water and came toward Zuko, he let out a soft 'Oh', feeling a little shocked and confused at the fact that Aang knew how to use Water Bending in that way, when back then only Katara knew how to heal using this technique. "Uncle, it's fine," Zuko called out when he saw Iroh tense, looking like he was preparing to attack any moment now; hearing this, Iroh gazed at Zuko helplessly before gritting his teeth and clutching his fists, backing away and allowing Aang to cross.
Clutching his hands tightly, Zuko continued to gaze at Aang, watching how the Qianyuan kneeled down and the water glowed in his hands before he touched Zuko's leg; only then, did Zuko dare to look at his leg, his heart pounding in his chest as his eyes fell on the wound Zhao left him with… Fuck… Zuko felt his heart stop for a second, and he could only be grateful that he hadn't looked at the wound before Aang started healing him; if he had, he would have possibly passed out from shock or worse…
In the best-case scenario and that was after receiving the full treatment and in a timely manner; a burn like this would mean getting crippled, forever unable to fight or bend (Or even walk properly!), unless he underwent grueling training and learn how to compensate for such injuries. In the worst-case scenario? Amputation and the danger that would follow in the form of sepsis and death… just that thought was enough for a shiver to run down his spine.
How much did Zhao hate him for inflecting an injury such as this? In front of everyone no less, and breaking the laws of Agni publicly by daring to hurt a Kunze… Zuko could only wonder, wincing slightly as the skin knit back together; part of him wondered if Ozai allowed this if it meant Zuko would return back to Caldera, or if the man would have snapped and gone crazy when he realized that the goods, he finally got back were damaged, and would bring Calamity on his head when the Fire Nation people heard what he did and allowed his Generals to do, to force Zuko back to Caldera.
"Spirits above…" Iroh breathed out, taking a shaky step toward Zuko, his eyes wide as he saw the wound healing completely before his eyes, not even leaving a scar behind, indicating the presence of such grave injury. "I… Avatar… I… thank you, thank you!" Iroh cried out, bowing several times before rushing to Zuko once more to check him over, ignoring Zuko's protests as he tried to pat his uncle's hands away from his face.
"Uncle, I am fine…" Zuko whined, trying to pat his uncle's hands as they checked him over. "I am fine, I just need to -Aang!" Zuko shouted his beloved's name when he saw Aang suddenly sway before falling and slamming into the floor; the absence of the tattoos glowing informed Zuko that his beloved was finally out of the Avatar State.
Strangely Aang was unresponsive to everyone around him, and wouldn't wake up, even after Katara shook him and called his name over and over, trying to wake him up and failing… Zuko's heart could only drop when the healer, a woman named Li, tried to wake him using smelling salts but also failed, resulting in the woman gazing at his uncle with a look Zuko couldn't decipher…
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Why…? Why was Aang…?
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…("The Avatar!"
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"…The Avatar!"
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"He is back…"
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"The Avatar is…"
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"How…?!"
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"…A hundred years…"
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"He is…"
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"The Avatar is back!"
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"Fire Lord Ozai! Fire Lord Ozai!" A screech rang across the palace of Caldera, causing everyone to stop in their places before continuing with their jobs, but not without sending each other knowing looks that made many frowns. "Fire Lord Ozai!" The messenger continued to cry out, his voice causing Ozai to open his eyes, glaring at the one who dared to interrupt him during his meditation.
"You dare?" Ozai hissed, standing up from his throne, the fire surrounding him crackled and blazed even hotter than it had a few seconds ago; this resulted in the messenger flinching in terror before he straightened his back, bowing to Ozai and shouting.
"Grave news my Lord, grave news!" Ozai growled in annoyance, but he sat on his throne once more; waving for the man to continue. "Early this morning, in the Fire Temples, the Fire Sages witnessed the relics of the past Avatar coming to life and it was confirmed! The Avatar has returned!" The world came to a screeching halt, even the fire that crackled and blazed loudly, now didn't produce a sound, rending the throne room silent.
"What?" Ozai hissed, his eyes wide, and disbelieve made his jaw drop for a bit. The Avatar? Back? But that was impossible! It was impossible! The Avatar could only be back if the cycle restarted once more, or if a new Avatar was born, and something of that scale wouldn't be missed, not when… Ozai needed to act fast, he needed to act swiftly! Send all of his soldiers into the Earth Kingdom and the Water Tribes and kill those rats before the Avatar grows up and becomes a thorn in his side; he needs…!
"My Lord!" Once more the door to his throne room was slammed open, and with it came a messenger who looked like his soul would have left him any moment now. "Grave news, my Lord!" The man cried out, throwing his body into a kowtow as he shook like a leaf; his presence causing Ozai to clutch the chair handles so tightly they cracked.
"What now?" Ozai shouted, part of him feeling a little hysteric as he wondered if the Avatar in mention was waiting outside of Caldera with his armies; how could they miss him? How could the Avatar suddenly appear after a hundred years of silence? Just what was going on here?!
"We have received a messenger hawk from Captain Zhao's ship!" Hearing that name, Ozai's face twisted into a snarl, and he almost burned the idiot who thought Ozai would care about Zhao and what he was up to. "They have encountered the Avatar!" Here, Ozai froze, his eyes widened a bit.
"And?! Continue, why did you shut up?!" Ozai shouted, his heart pounding in his chest; Zhao? That useless Zhao had encountered the Avatar? The Avatar that the Fire Sages only discovered just now? What was going on?! Could it be… could it be…
"Prince Zuko… it seemed that Prince Zuko had found the Avatar… and he is taking him to the Northern Water Tribes to learn Water Bending…" Ozai's breath was trapped in his chest when he heard these words, the world had suddenly gone quiet and only the rush of his blood through his veins was heard, deafening him to everything going around him. Part of Ozai felt detached from everything around him and couldn't make any sense of his surroundings, even when he knew the messenger was still blabbering and relaying the message, looking so sick and terrified…
The thing was, Ozai couldn't even hear a word of what he said, the only thing he could make sense of was Zuko… his son… the boy he sent away on a fruitless quest years ago to get rid of, had once more turned the tables around, and flipped his world upside down by finding someone believed to have been erased off of this world.
How many times was it now? How many times would that boy continue to surprise him and destroy all of his beliefs in one falling swoop? How many times did Zuko defy the fates? How many times was the boy, Ozai, condemned as useless nobody continued to show him how loved and favored, he was? How many times would Agni, the God of Fires and Dragons, laugh and rub it in his face, how much he favored and dote on Zuko to the point of bringing a relic from the past just because Ozai gave him an impossible fate to accomplish?
When Ozai thought the Spirits had given him a useless son who was nothing but a weak Zhongyong; Zuko had flipped the table by presenting as a Kunze, and at such a young age too, becoming Agni's beloved and gaining the people's love and support in one falling swoop. When Ozai thought his son would come back crying home and bow with gratitude for bringing him back and canceling his banishment; Zuko turned his back on him, cutting all ties with the royal family and choosing to roam the world instead of returning to his rightful place beside Ozai.
When Ozai thought Zuko was nothing but a weak Fire Bender, not being able to amount to a thing even after presenting as a Kunze and would be brought back home easily; Zuko shocked Ozai with the bending prowess Zuko hid from everyone around to the point he had played them for the fools. Zuko once again, showed everyone in the Fire Nation the power that ran in his blood, the power that ran in Roku's blood and was amplified by Sozin's. Bringing the royal family's inadequacy to light, and showing everyone, the person who should sit on the throne, summoning with it a wave of rage that Ozai had spent years trying to suppress and failed at every turn.
When Ozai thought of the quest, he sent Zuko on, he thought it was the perfect opportunity to get rid of the annoying brat that was too much like his mother, it brought rage to Ozai every time he gazed at him; the brat, that woman loved and cared about and wished he was another man's child to the point she fed the brat lies and sweet words that turned him soft and useless. Ozai never thought Zuko would once more flip the cards of fates to his advantage, finding the Avatar when people before him had failed to do so for a hundred years, and not only that… not only that! Zuko had… Zuko had chosen the Avatar! He had chosen the Avatar and discarded his own father! He had chosen someone else instead of his own blood!
Just like that rotten woman! …Ozai could only seethe, his rage blazing in his veins every time he remembered the woman, he sacrificed everything for, only for that rotten tree to discard him like trash and choose another, and now? Now after all these years his own son! His own damned son, discard Ozai who promised him everything and chose another when he was right here! In the end, the old saying only became truer as the days passed…
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The apple truly doesn't fall far from the tree…)…
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So, what do you think?
An update! Yay!
Writing this chapter was really a pain, had to write and rewrite until I said enough TT
Never was good at writing a fighting scene even if my life depended on it…
Everyone, the poll is now closed!
Thank you for voting and participating in our little poll! I had the time of my life reading your lovely comments, thank you! And now, after reading all your comments, on Ao3, FFN, Wattpad, Discord, and also my friends who were interested in voting, it's time to announce our winner!
Story No.1: The Isekai/Transmigration story, fluff, comedy, angst, hurt/comfort, healing. Had won our little poll by 24 votes! Yay! It seemed we have a lot of SVSSS fans around here, hehe.
Now, to be fair, let's show the results of the other fics!
Story No.2: Had won 6 votes.
Story No.3: Had won 13 votes.
Story No.4: Had won 21 votes! So close guys! For a second, I thought this story would be the winner for sure, but then by the end of September, I received so many votes regarding the first story inspired by SVSSS!
Story No.5: Had won 15 votes.
Story No.6: Had won 10 votes.
Again, thank you for voting and choosing the next fic that would be published!
The Isekai/Transmigration fic will be published on October 5 or 6, and not on the 9th of October, mainly because I am going on a trip with my friends to celebrate my birthday from October 8 to October 11.
So be on the lookout and enjoy!
Read and Review
And let me know what you think…
Nazaki-Sama