Zuko
I rush to the edge of the waterfall, adrenaline coursing through me and anger filling me up as I see what's about to happen. My boat is going to ram into the pirates' ship and they're both going to go over. But the Avatar will go over with it, and either he'll fly away or he could die from the fall, and I can't let him die. I'd never be able to return home if he does. I watch, helpless to change the situation, as the boats collide and go over.
"No!" I shout as the boats go over, the Avatar and his companions with them. But from the corner of my vision, I see the Sky Bison come and swoop under them, catching the Avatar and Sokka. But he just misses Katara. She keeps falling, and with a scream and a wave of her arms she washes a surge of water over the rocks below her right before she hits the surface. But it was a long and hard fall, and I see her body go limp. Whether she's dead or just unconscious I don't know. The water she called recedes, and her body is laid out on the rocks.
"Get the girl!" I yell to my men and point to her.
"Katara!" I hear The Avatar and Sokka yell, turning their Bison around. I let out the most powerful fire blast I can right under him. He groans and flies higher to avoid it.
"I'll get the girl!" I shout to my men. "You don't let that bison land!"
I rush down the cliff side and run through the water to where she's laying. She's soaked, her dress now clinging tightly to her figure, showing the way her body curves. Her chocolate hair is braided but messy with the water pulling at it. Her eyes are closed and her lips slightly parted. Looking at her sends a rush through me.
"Stop it." I chide myself as I pick her up. She stirs in my arms, sending another rush. "You need her as bait, don't think of anything else." I mutter. It really has been too long since I've seen a girl if just looking at her can distract me so easily. Looking around, I see her surge of water not only saved herself but my boat as well. Running over to it, I climb aboard, setting Katara down as she starts to wake up. Grabbing a cloth, I wrap it around her wrists before tying them with the rope on deck, then do the same with her legs. She can't bend now. Looking at my men and Uncle at the top of the cliff, I see they're still struggling to keep the bison from landing. I run to the helm of the boat and get it started down the water, then turn back to them and whistle to grab their attention.
"Come on!" I shout. "Let's go!" They hear and start running down the cliff. With the Avatar and Sokka now cleared to land, I rush Katara inside and below deck before going back above right as The Avatar and Sokka jump off their Bison's back onto my boat.
"Let my sister go!" Sokka growls.
"Yeah!" The Avatar adds. I smirk.
"No. We need a girl on the ship." I say, making Sokka go red. He raises his club and runs at me with a loud yell. His skill surprises me, he's much better than he was last time we fought. But he's still not a match for me, a firebender who's been trained in combat since I could toddle. It gets more difficult, though, the second the Avatar joins the fight. Difficult, but not impossible.
"Give up, and I'll let your companions leave!" I yell to him as I deflect a wind blast with my fire.
"Better Idea!" He yells back at me. "All three of us are leaving!"
In my peripheral, I see Sokka coming at me again. I do a spin kick and he gets set sailing over the railing of the deck.
"Sokka!" The Avatar cries. No reply comes. The Avatar doesn't move, but I can see his hesitation now.
"He'll be fine. He's from the Southern Water Tribe, I'm sure he can swim. If you turn yourself in, I'll let Katara go." Take the Deal. Take the Deal. Please, Take the Deal. He's taken the deal before to save the Water Tribe, and I'll secure him better this time.
The Avatar turns as we move in the water, revealing Sokka Unconscious and facedown in the water. No.
"Turn yourself in, and I'll get him out of the water! Both of them can go home, or to the North so she can get trained if they want. All I care about is capturing you!" I see he's still hesitant, but he dashes over the rail and dives into the water, swimming to Sokka and pulling him onto shore. I'm about to dive over myself when their Bison lands next to them. The Avatar pulls Sokka into the saddle and they take off, him tending to Sokka's head. "No!" I shout as they get further and further away.
"Prince Zuko!" I hear my Uncle's voice, and see he's on the river shore along with the rest of my men. "Pull the boat to shore. It was a long run, I don't think a swim would agree with me." He pants. I curse under my breath, and go to the helm and anchor the boat close enough to the shore to let the ramp down and everyone comes aboard.
"So he got away again, hmmm? I'm sorry, Prince Zuko. I'm sure you'll catch up to him again eventually."
"Yes I will." I growl. "He didn't leave me empty handed this time." I say and think of the Water bender below deck. "Next time, he'll be coming to me."
….
We get back on the main ship, and I carry Katara to the brig, careful not to hit her head on any of the door frames. I send for a medic as soon as we're on board to see to her injuries. Of course, I can't have her dying before she can give me information or before the Avatar comes trying to rescue her.
"Examine her, treat her how you see fit, and report back to me." I tell the medic when he gets to the brig. "I'm going to train." I say, needing to blow off some steam. I'm heading up to the top deck to find anyone up for a sparring session when I see three of my soldiers coming down the stairs.
"Did you see who the Prince captured? That pretty little waterbender."
"Really? The one that froze me in an ice block? Oh, I'll enjoy this."
"And she's on the ship as a prisoner? The things I'm going to-" He cuts off and they snap to attention when they see me in front of them. "Prince Zuko." The lead sailor, Lee, addresses me. I cross my arms.
"Let me make something clear: The waterbender is off limits. I won't tolerate rape on my ship, I don't care how beautiful she is, how long it's been for you, or that she's a prisoner of war. You have a need, find a brothel at our next port. Am I clear?" I look them in the eyes.
"Yes Sir." Lee says. The other two, Ruko and Menu nod.
"Good. Spread the word to the rest of the crew." I keep going up the stairs and when I reach the top deck, I see Uncle is still out here.
"Uncle, would you referee a sparring match? I need to burn off some energy."
…