XXVIII/ Burning thoughts

Standing on the deck of his ship, his crimson cloak billowing dramatically in the sea wind, Zhao glared as he watched the speck that was Aang's sky bison disappear into the horizon, away from Crescent Island. The fury of his failure burned hotter than the lava erupting from the island, consuming the temple on the horizon. He clenched his fists, his face twisted in a snarl of rage.

"No Prince, no Avatar!" he roared, his voice echoing across the deck. "Apparently, the only thing I do have is four traitors!"

He whirled around to confront the Great Fire Sage and his three fellows, their faces etched with apprehension and their hands bound behind their backs.

"But Commander!" the Great Fire Sage protested, his voice trembling slightly, "Only Shyu helped the Avatar."

Zhao scoffed. "Save your stories for the Fire Lord," he spat. "As far as I'm concerned, you are all guilty! Take them to the prison hold!" He barked the last order at the guards, who immediately shuffled the Sages away.

As the four men were led away, Zhao noticed that some of his soldiers were still tense, their eyes flicking nervously between him and the horizon. His own gaze followed theirs, landing back on the spot where the sky bison had disappeared.

His mind churned over the encounter. So many opportunities that had been snuffed out from his grasp because of the Avatar's unnatural stunt and of this mysterious woman. However, as much as he was unsatisfied by this unexpected failure, he pondered he would have other opportunities. He knew that while Zuko was at large again. The next time he had an opportunity, he could easily arrest him for treason, not only for crossing the Fire Nation territory without the Firelord's consent but more importantly for having interacted with this strange waterbender who seemed to have expressed compassion to the banished prince. Zhao knew that the Firelord despised compassion he regarded as pity or weakness and he had heard tales of how the Lady Ursa was before her disappearance. So many possibilities could be used to dispose of the prince.

But it wasn't the banished prince or even the Avatar that occupied the commander's thoughts. No, that was this Elsa, this mysterious waterbender. But was she a waterbender? The way she had created ice and snow in a volcanic environment, was a feat that was both astounding and terrifying. And more importantly, an unnatural feat.

Zhao knew that wasn't something the water tribe savages could do, even with the full moon. He knew how captured waterbenders were dealt with and this woman as mysterious and eerie wouldn't be easily coerced. He considered also how powerful she might be, considering that she not only created ice in the volcanic environment of the island, but also held her ground against his guards and him and managed to disorganize his lines thrice. It was unnatural. Otherworldly, even. A power like that... He clenched his fists, the thought of her abilities filling him with both dread and a thrill he dared not admit openly. What was she?

A nervous cough broke the silence. Zhao turned to see his captain shuffling forwards at the edge of the firebenders, his face etched with a mixture of awe and trepidation. "Sir," he began cautiously, his voice barely a whisper, "your men wonder about... that woman..."

Zhao, his gaze still fixed upon the distant horizon, cut him off with a curt wave of his hand. He knew that with the fight on the island, his men would be wary and raising questions. And while she was an unexpected thorn, she was also an unexpected but blessed opportunity he needed to preserve. Fortunately, he knew how to deal with the matter, relying on the knowledge he took away that library.

"You mean the waterbender," he clarified, his voice laced with annoyance. "Do not worry, the Fire Lord will be informed of everything, including the Avatar's escape, the incompetence of the Fire Sages, and of course, the valiant efforts of my men in the attempt."

"But Sir," the man stammered, "she was so powerful... creating ice where there weren't water... it couldn't be water..."

Zhao scoffed. "On the contrary, Captain," he said, his voice dripping with disdain. "Those savages are widely known for their barbaric practices and their unnatural twists of bending."

Another guard piped up, his voice tight. " But sir, her hair... it was light as snow. I've never seen anything like it."

"The Northern Water Tribe Princess is said to have the same hair color, it is just an anomaly of those people," Zhao rebuked in a serious tone, remembering some rumours on the North Pole, the place where he would achieve glory when the time would come.

A third guard stepped forward, his brow furrowed. "She doesn't have the typical Water Tribe appearance."

"Sure, she's a mixed breed," Zhao scoffed. "Some peasant from the Earth Kingdom and another from the Water Tribe, nothing out of the ordinary here. Fire Nation bloodlines are pure, remember that."

He narrowed his eyes, his voice dropping to a low growl. "Don't let yourselves be swayed by fantasies. She's a rogue waterbender, nothing more."

"And what about the Fire Sages?" asked the captain. "They would report that to the Fire Lord."

Zhao pondered for a short instant, aware that those old fools could easily reveal what happened to the Fire Lord, meaning he would be on thin ice if he didn't handle it well. A part of him considered to solve it now, but as much as he wanted to deal now with those rats, that would contradict his initial orders and he would have to answer the Fire Lord. But the initial gave him an idea that could work.

Zhao turned his gaze from the horizon to his men, his eyes cold and calculating. "The Fire Sages," he began, his voice a low growl, "will know how to hold their tongues if they wish to prove their loyalty to the Fire Lord." He paused, letting his words sink in. "And if they don't, accidents can happen." As he said this, he produced a small flame in his hand, the flickering light casting eerie shadows on his face, enhancing the threat implicit in his words.

His men's eyes widened, a mixture of fear and respect rippling through the group. They all understood the unspoken promise in their commander's words: Zhao would not tolerate dissent, and the consequences of crossing him would be dire. They were also more than willing to believe Zhao's explanation. The idea of a waterbender with such power, defying the natural order, was unsettling. He was aware they knew better than to question his judgment. Doing so would mean disrespecting his commander and displaying disloyalty and dishonor.

The Captain straightened, swallowing hard. "Understood, sir. We will ensure the Fire Sages understand the importance of their silence."

Zhao nodded curtly, extinguishing the flame in his hand. "Good. Now, return to your posts and let's rejoin the blockade. We have much to prepare for. The Avatar may have escaped for now, but the Fire Nation will not be deterred. We will hunt him down, and when we do, his precious waterbender will not be far behind."

The captain and the guards nodded and moved away to achieve their duties. As his men scattered to obey his orders, Zhao turned his thoughts back to the mysterious woman. The encounter with the mysterious waterbender had left him shaken, more than he cared to admit. Her power was unlike anything he had witnessed. Perhaps something... elemental. A part of him recoiled, remembering howhe had felt when interacting with that birdie spirit in his library some years ago.

But she wasn't just a powerful mysterious being. Her grace and unique features made her a creature so unlike any people in the world, someone that could fit in the royal court in spite of her powers. It was obvious she had some aristocratic demeanour. She was someone that deemed respect and power in spite of her origins and her meek appearance.

Zhao's eyes narrowed as he considered the implications. As strong as she was, it meant that the Avatar had an ally of unimaginable power. His thoughts raced as he contemplated the strategic advantage this information could provide. This wasn't just about capturing the Avatar anymore. It was seizing an opportunity as big as the return of Sozin's comet.

Zhao knew that as a commander of the Fire Nation, he should neutralize that new threat as her powers could tip the balance of power against the Fire Nation. He thought how gratifying and rewarding it would be for him to defeat this new big threat to his Nation. Defeating such an opponent would earn him the place he was striving for, even though his long-time project was still waiting for a good opportunity to occur.

Yet, she was more than a threat—she was an opportunity. Not just to bring the Avatar to his knees, but to secure a future far grander than Zhao had previously imagined. Capturing this mysterious woman would open possibilities he wouldn't have thought of before. With this woman at his side, at his command…

As he stroked his chin, his eyes gleamed with a dangerous light. If harnessed correctly, this "Elsa" could be a weapon, no an ally unlike any other. Perhaps more. If he played his cards well, he could not only put an end to the war in favour of the Fire Nation, but more importantly, he could achieve something he didn't think possible before.

He smirked at the thought, already picturing himself commanding not only fire but ice, standing side by side with a being of such unimaginable power and with a so unique beauty. Fire and ice ruling together—a perfect balance to dominate the world. As much as he respected the Firelord's power, he had never been content with the thought of always serving. Ozai, his children or even his foolish brother, the Dragon of the West… As powerful most of them were, with Elsa by his side, they could all be swept aside. The throne could be his. He could become the new ruler of the Fire Nation and the supreme leader of the world once the war was over. Perhaps even the world. Fire and ice, he thought with a malevolent grin. A new age, shaped by his hand.

"Yes, that could work," the commander mused with a cruel smile. All he needed was to plan his next moves and how to capture and overwhelm that person. It couldn't be like with waterbenders as she had shown she could handle the dry environment, but he knew she could exhaust herself and her protectiveness was a weakness that could be exploited. She would risk everything to defend them, and that would be her undoing. Exhaust her, capture the Avatar's friends, and she would fall into his grasp—eventually bending to his will. Yes, he would break her spirit, twist her loyalty, and use her power to claim everything he desired.

His plans already began to unfold in his mind, and he marched off the deck toward his cabin. Each step felt like progress toward his future, his boots striking the wooden planks with determination. The door slammed shut behind him, the sound reverberating through the small room. Sitting at his desk, Zhao's fingers drummed impatiently on the wooden surface before he snatched a quill and parchment, his mind focused on crafting a report to the Fire Lord.

After a moment of reflection, Zhao knew what would be depicted in his message. The presence of the two water tribe children and the fact one of his men reported a waterbending strike during the fight gave him the inspiration to tell the truth while concealing the true nature of this Elsa and diminishing the weight of his failure. Dipping the quill into the ink, he began writing his report to the Fire Lord. The words flowed with a mixture of truth and politicking, designed to inform and manipulate.

"To His Eminence, the High ruler of the World,

It is with a heavy heart that I report a temporary setback in our mission to apprehend the Avatar. As predicted, he flew on his sky bison through the blockade we established and made his way to Crescent Island.

Upon arrival, I mobilized my forces to capture him. However, our efforts were thwarted by a combination of unforeseen circumstances. The Fire Sages stationed on the island, entrusted with guarding the sacred temple, proved to be deceitful. One of their number, Shyu, openly sided with the Avatar, aiding his escape. I had suspicions on the loyalties of the other Sages and they need to be questioned.

Furthermore, we encountered two highly skilled waterbenders who were traveling with the Avatar. Their presence was a complete surprise as you can imagine, as my reports told me the Avatar was coming from the South Pole. As you are aware, the Southern raiders' intelligence indicated the complete eradication of waterbenders from the Southern Water Tribe over six years ago. It is an oversight that needs to be further investigated.

Despite these setbacks, I assure you, my Lord, that my resolve remains unwavering. The Avatar has escaped for now, but I will not rest until he is brought to justice. The treasonous Fire Sages will face the consequences of their betrayal, and these rogue waterbenders will be neutralized.

Rest assured, my Lord, the Fire Nation will prevail. This minor delay will not hinder our ultimate victory.

With unwavering loyalty,

Commander Zhao"

As he finished, Zhao reread it to be certain the wording would appeal to the Fire Lord and displace the blame on the concerned parties. Once he was certain of the effect, he sealed the letter with the Fire Nation emblem and rose from his desk. He moved with purpose, the tension in his body visible in the set of his shoulders and the determined stride of his steps. Exiting his cabin, he called for one of his men.

"Prepare a messenger hawk for the royal palace," he ordered, thrusting the sealed message into the soldier's hands.

The guard saluted, eyes wide with an understanding of the message's importance. "Yes, sire!" He hurried off to fulfill the order.

Zhao returned to the deck, his gaze fixed on the horizon. The ship was now en route to rejoin the blockade fleet, the sea stretching endlessly before them. He took a deep breath, the salty air filling his lungs as he watched the distant sky.

A moment later, the piercing call of the messenger hawk cut through the air. Zhao turned, catching sight of the bird as it soared into the sky, heading in the direction of the Fire Nation. A slow, confident smile spread across his face. He knew he had to bide his time and strategize, but the pieces were falling into place. Soon, this unexpected development would make the man he wanted to become. He would capture the Avatar. He would break this mysterious Elsa. And when he did, nothing—not Ozai, not the Avatar, not the world—would stand in his way.

A world of fire and ice awaited him, and Zhao was ready to seize it.

As his boat moved away from the burning Crescent Island, Zuko gripped the spyglass tight, knuckles turning white as he trained his focus on the distant speck in the sky. The sunset glinted off the metal contraption, confirming his worst fears. The Avatar's sky bison, soaring majestically towards the horizon. Below, the churning water frothed and bubbled, a stark contrast to the serene image that had been Crescent Island just moments ago. Now, the once lush sanctuary was a smoldering ruin, swallowed by a maelstrom of molten rock and cascading lava. The sight mirrored the turmoil within him. The night was slowly falling, darkening the sky and intensifying the inferno consuming the temple.

The banished prince slammed the spyglass shut with a curse, the clatter echoing in the confines of the small riverboat. Defeat gnawed at him, a bitter aftertaste in his mouth. A snarl twisted the prince's lips as he moved to heat the coal, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts as he stoked the flames to propel his steam-powered riverboat back to his ship where his crew and Uncle Iroh awaited.

His thoughts churned as violently as the erupting volcano behind him. That girl had foiled him again. Elsa. The very name felt foreign on his tongue, a stark contrast to the fire that burned in his gut. She had proved again to be a formidable opponent, her ice magic a marvel and a potent force that had thwarted his plans again.

Zuko felt the residual chill from the ice Elsa had trapped him in, a stark contrast to the heat of the coal he now shoveled. The memory of his own imprisonment in ice sent a fresh wave of fury crashing through him. He flexed his hand, wincing slightly as the throbbing pain in his wrist flared. Stubborn bruises were starting to bloom on his skin, a testament to the ice witch's power. Her control over ice in its power and precision reminded him again of his sister, especially with how she dealt with him and the Fire Sages with ease. Yet, there had been something else there too, a flicker of something… unexpected. A spark of understanding, a hesitant attempt to see beyond the flames of his anger in contrast to the two water tribe peasants who seemed to consider his people as savages and murderers.

He recalled her words, spoken with a calmness and a kindness that had surprised him. Her curiosity about him, her hesitant sympathy. It was unsettling, a jarring contrast to the icy fury she wielded. For a fleeting moment, he'd seen a vulnerability in her eyes, a flicker of something akin to his own pain. The way she spoke to him, the way her eyes held a hint of sadness… It was unsettlingly familiar, like a melody from a forgotten dream. A song that reminded him again of his mother, her warmth a stark contrast to the fire of the Fire Nation. The thought arose some unease and turmoil in the young man as it was the second time after Kyoshi Island he dared comparing that woman to his mother.

Zuko felt a pang in his chest as he thought of his mother and of that fateful night she was gone and when everything changed. A pang of guilt stabbed at him, a fleeting memory of Elsa's words echoing in the fiery chaos of the collapsing temple. "What was she trying to do?" Zuko muttered to himself, his brow furrowing. "Trying to talk me down, as if she understood my struggle. She doesn't know anything about me." He shoved more coal into the furnace, the heat rising in response to his growing anger.

"Sympathy," he muttered under his breath. "Or maybe it was pity."

"Compassion is for the weak, Zuko. Do not let it cloud your judgment." His father's voice echoed in his mind, harsh and unforgiving.

He shook his head, trying to clear the conflicting thoughts. Elsa was an obstacle, a threat to his mission. She had demonstrated immense power, not just in her ice magic and her ability to use it anywhere, but also in her ability to understand and connect with people. It made her dangerous, and unpredictable.

Frustration bubbled over. His thoughts drifted to Shyu, the traitorous Fire Sage who had revealed his banishment. Zuko's face burned with shame and anger at the memory. "You have no idea what it's like! This is my only chance to regain my honor and my place." He had revealed more than he intended, and Elsa had seen through his facade.

The boat rocked gently on the water, the rhythmic sound of the engine providing a stark contrast to the turmoil within him. He replayed the battle in his mind. Once again, he had let her get the better of him. He, Zuko, Prince of the Fire Nation, was outsmarted by a woman and a band of ragtag water tribe peasants! Images of the fight flashed before him – Elsa's icy attacks, precise and powerful, holding him captive. He had felt a flicker of respect then, a begrudging admiration for her skill.

But then she fought Zhao and his men, a whirlwind of ice and determination. She had been relentless, yet there had been a calm precision to her movements. A part of him, a traitorous part, felt a surge of…relief? Gratitude? Grim satisfaction that the commander was facing as many difficulties as he did? She had fought with a ferocity that surprised even him, her ice magic a formidable defense. But even the most skilled warrior could be worn down. Only the Avatar prevented her again from breaking down, but a part of him couldn't feel but grateful as it meant his chances to regain his honor were still present.

He couldn't help but wonder how Zhao would report this back to the Fire Lord. "If he's smart, he'll downplay his failure," Zuko mused as he let out a grim scoff. "But he won't forget Elsa. She's too powerful, too dangerous to ignore."

A part of him also felt unease and disgust as he remembered how the commander seemed to look at the young woman. That was unbecoming of an officer of the Fire Nation, but what could he expect of someone like Zhao to display respectability? Zuko might have lost his honor, but he wouldn't lower himself to such a level.

The banished prince chased away those troubling thoughts and wiped the sweat from his brow, his mind racing with strategies. "Next time I face her, I can't let her trap me again. I need to be faster, smarter." The image of Elsa's determined face as she fought flashed in his mind. Despite his resentment, he couldn't deny her strength and resolve.

As the boat chugged along, Zuko's thoughts turned to his uncle. Iroh's wisdom had often been a guiding light in his tumultuous life. Perhaps his uncle could help him devise a plan to counter Elsa's ice powers. "Uncle might know something," he thought, a flicker of hope breaking through his anger. "She might not be a waterbender, but he's faced many powerful benders in his time. He may have something that can help me to face her."

Finally, as the island receded into the distance and the night enveloped him, Zuko allowed himself a moment of contemplation. The weight of his father's expectations pressed heavily on him, and the desperate need to regain his honour felt more urgent than ever. But a small, nagging doubt lingered in the back of his mind.

"Honour isn't something you can regain by bringing pain to others."

Elsa's words echoed in his mind, her voice strangely gentle and concerned. He had scoffed at her naiveté then, but now, amidst the wreckage of his plans, a seed of doubt had been sown. For a brief moment, he wondered if there could be another way.

But he quickly shoved the thought aside. "No," he told himself firmly, "capturing the Avatar is the only way to restore my honour and return home."

As the first stars appeared in the night sky, Zuko focused on the task at hand. He would regroup with his crew and his uncle, and then he would plan his next move. The Avatar had slipped through his grasp once again, but he would not give up. He would face Elsa and the Avatar again, and next time, he would not fail. Yet, amidst the smoke and ash, a tiny spark remained – a spark of curiosity, a flicker of something that went beyond blind ambition. It was the spark of a question, a question that gnawed at him: who was Elsa, truly? An enemy or something else?