Avatar: The Last Airbender
Yin and Yang
Chapter 14
By Madlia and RebLaw
Eriko's brow furrowed as he surveyed the landscape. This wasn't very good, he had no idea which way was south. As he reached for his compass to rectify that, when he realized he didn't know what his position was.
"This way," Chiku said pointed southeast, as if he knew Eriko was lost. But he didn't, he and Gobu were just looking forward to getting back to camp and sitting in front of some nice warm fire.
It was dusk by the time the trio were approaching Admiral Zhao's station. Admiral Zhao wasn't very happy; this group was always the last to return from any scouting mission. He had originally wanted to depart before it got dark, but, that time had already passed.
"Where have you three been!" Zhao demanded almost foaming at the mouth. "I'm replacing you three as soon as we get back home! Monkeys could do a better job!"
Eriko and Chiku both stood there in shock-- it's wasn't the verbal abuse, they were used to it. It was more that they actually had a good come back. Unfortunately Gobu beat them to the punch, "Sorry Admiral Zhao, next time we won't waste so much time catching the Avatar."
"Oh," Zhao said suddenly optimistic and no longer displeased. "You saw the Avatar? You can confirm he is in the area?"
"Even better," Gobu said pleased with himself. He held the net containing the Avatar in front of Zhao's face. "We caught him."
Aang, the Avatar of war and Admiral Zhao stared at each other. Both were about to break out laughing, but for different reasons. Aang, the Avatar of war, had only known the Zhao of his world, who was a pacifist. Zhao was about to break out laughing because he finally had the Avatar in his reach again.
The next morning Zhao's ship set sail on the two week journey to the Fire Nation, and Zhao had his fingers crossed the whole way there.
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Zuko's stomach had butterflies in it the whole way home. He was finally going to restore his honor. His dad would finally have to respect him once again. Despite his stoic, almost grim, outward appearance, Zuko was constantly alternating between elation and anxiety.
Maybe, if he weren't so distracted with his thoughts, he would have noticed how his Uncle Iroh was hovering over him, talking to him in a calming voice. Zuko didn't want to be calmed. He wanted to prepare himself for seeing his father again, for regaining his honor. The young prince knew he should show his father that he was not an impulsive weak boy any longer, but had become a strong man. He had become worthy of his father's respect.
Prince Zuko's ship arrived at the Fire Nation early one morning. The morning fog clung in the air like Zuko's insecurities and fear hung to his soul. But unlike the morning air, Zuko's soul was not visible for all to see. Iroh was proud of how well his nephew appeared to be handling himself.
Zuko had all of his men surround and guard the Avatar to make sure he wasn't able to escape. As he walked from the dock to the palace, he felt as if he were walking on air.
It's so unreal, the prince thought to himself. Finally, after years, he was home, really home. He had the Avatar; his father would have to restore him now. The lord would have to.
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"So Avatar," Zhao sneered as he stood just outside Aang, the Avatar of War's cell taunting him. "It's nice to see you again. How have you been?"
Aang smiled malevolently and answered, "Oh you know me Zhao-y, same old same old!"
Zhao frowned at the insolence the boy was showing him. "Don't worry child, this time I'm going to personally see to it that you don't escape."
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Iroh sighed as he watched his nephew so full of hope and determination. He was fairly certain that while the Fire Lord may be pleased about having the Avatar, he would not express it to Zuko. Hunting the Avatar had been the coming of age challenge Ozai went through, and their father went through it as well. It was supposed to humble the future Fire Lord, not be completed.
The retired general honestly was unsure of what exactly his brother was going to do. About the only thing he was sure of was that Zuko was going to be disappointed. He felt bad for his nephew, but there wasn't much he could do. Iroh just waited behind, so he'd be there somewhat for the boy.
Iroh had guessed right. Zuko returned to him with his teeth clenched seething with anger. The grey-haired general was fairly certain it would be possible to fry an egg on Zuko's head he looked steamed.
"Uncle," Zuko asked, his voice brimming with rage- not directed towards his uncle. "Do you know why?"
The old man sighed. "Your father has his reasons. It's not like it looks Zuko, you must be patient."
"But I have been patient," Zuko retorted. "I spent years searching for the Avatar, finally catching him. I completed the task I was given, why does my father still wish me to be banished?"
"You'll understand later," Iroh said gently. He knew there wasn't anything he could do to make it seem fair to be the boy. In truth it wasn't fair, but that was part of the lesson of the quest.
"Let's get going," Zuko said suddenly after a few moments of silence. He honestly hoped he would never understand his father, he hoped unfairness never would make sense to him. Perhaps his banishment it was for the best- he wouldn't grow as corrupt as his father this way. It still wasn't fair.
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"Sir," a nondescript soldier saluted Zhao. "We're approaching the capital port."
"Very good," Zhao replied. He gestured towards the Avatar and spoke using in a mocking tone. "It seems our young friend has decided to stick with us to the end this time."
Aang, the Avatar of war, ignored the admiral. He was getting bored of trading insults with the man. Although, he had to admit that it had been fun calling Zhao a "monkey-man"- his face would get so red.
Before very long the ship had docked. Aang honestly couldn't wait to get off, to get away from Zhao and most of all to get some fresh air.
The Fire Nation of this world wasn't very much like the fire nation of the Avatar of War's world. Aang was surprised how militaristic everything was, how trained and professional the soldiers were. It seemed the military was very active, not an unused relic like that of his world.
Before too long things got even more interesting.
"WHAT!" Zhao's voice screeched over the conversations of all of the men guarding Aang. "But that CAN'T BE! I have the Avatar, right here!"
Zhao couldn't believe what the palace guard told him. Apparently earlier that very day, Prince Zuko had shown up and handed over the Avatar to Lord Ozai.
"T-that's just what I was told," the intimidated guard stammered. He saw that Zhao was an admiral; he rarely liked to cross higher-ups.
"Very well," Zhao said. He'd have to talk with one of the generals, or the Fire Lord it seemed. There was no way this kid was an imposter- his men had seen the kid bending air.
After meeting with a general and Lord Ozai himself, Zhao was allowed to put the Avatar in the prison. Surprisingly the recommendation came from a man who the admiral had never seen before. Apparently the mysterious man was a new advisor of Ozai or something, he called himself Fe.
Fe had recommended that both Avatars be kept and treated as genuine until it could be determined which one was really the true Avatar. Ozai agreed with Fe, who looked surprisingly like his brother, Iroh in some ways.
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
"In you go," the large guard said pushing Aang, the Avatar of war into a large cell. The guard took care to shackle the boy's arms and legs far apart so the boy wouldn't be able to do any airbending.
"My, my" the guard commented after he finished his work, glancing in between Aang and a person next to him. "I don't know how I'd be able to tell you two apart. I'm glad it's not my job to."
Aang looked over, much to his surprise he saw Aang, the Avatar of peace.
The End
Authors' note:
This is the end of this story; however, we do have sequels planned for it. The sequels will likely be shorter, but will involve the situations created by this fanfic.