In the depths of the ship used by the Crimson Raiders Tadashi was looking at a set of reports on a table, surrounded by Aki, Kuro and Sikumi. In the short time they had been with Sikumi they had quickly learnt not to question her morals, her resolve or her mind. As it turned out, the light hearted nature she displayed was only one half of her personality, the more approachable half that Tadashi admired. But when the time came Sikumi's mind calmed down, becoming a lot more serene than most after long sessions of meditation. Aki believed that she had been touched by the spirits to gain such an aura and she respected the way she would conduct herself in conflict.
"So what do we do?" Aki asked Tadasi.
The four were looking at a report that compiled everything they knew about Zhao. It included some of the shadier things he'd done as well as his plan to destroy the Northern Water Tribe.
"We need to warn the Fire Lord about the Moon Spirit," Aki insisted.
"Agreed," both Sikumi and Kuro said,
"No," was all Tadashi said.
"Huh? But why?" Sikumi asked.
"You guys don't know my father like I do." He said, his voice drifting slightly, "He doesn't care about the other Nations and will do anything to better his own goals, much like Zhao."
"But….what about the potential side-effects." Kuro asked.
"I doubt that will sway him either."
"So he's a terrible person."
Aki and Kuro looked at Sikumi in shock, before turning back to Tadashi who did his best to control his breathing.
"You can't say that, you don't know how he's like. Sure he might be strict and a little biased but he's…"
The room became quiet as Tadashi stopped.
"I…..he's still my father, I need to…." The young boy muttered.
"Why don't we just consider that it's not an option, who would be out next best bet, General Iroh and Prince Zuko?" Aki interrupted.
"That sounds logical, General Iroh could certainly help and Prince Zuko doesn't like Zhao already." Kuro said, considering the idea.
"I don't know, that guy doesn't seem to be the most helpful of people." Sikumi muttered.
"You mean Prince Zuko?" Aki questioned, "From what I've seen he's a bit…..hot-headed."
The captain glanced at Tadashi before continuing.
"But with his Uncles guidance surely he can be persuaded to help."
"Not happening." Tadashi spoke up.
Everyone looked up him expectantly, surprised to see a bitter expression on his face.
"What now?" Aki asked.
"What now you ask? He'll just fail at helping like he did everything else! He doesn't care anyway, he's a hopeless old man with nothing to contribute to this nation." Tadashi's eyes narrowed as memories of the past surfaced.
"Surely you're just letting your emotions get the better of you. It's the be-" Kuro started saying before Tadashi interrupted him by smashing his fist into the table, releasing a stream of fire that burned the documents they had been looking at.
"Don't talk to me about emotions, I'm perfectly fine! In fact why are you here, you're nothing but a servant supposed to follow orders, did you think because I'm so young you can casually talk to me? No!" he smashed his fist again and unwillingly let a flick of blue fire that burned both Aki and Sikumi who were nearest to him.
"Damn it." Aki murmured, touching the burning skin on her hand.
Coming to his senses, Tadashi stepped backwards, wanting to reach towards those he hurt but ultimately hesitating. His mind went blank, not knowing what he should or could do, deciding that simply getting away from it all was best. The words that he wanted to speak wouldn't come out anymore and he stumbled away, quickly finding his quarters.
A chill had suddenly swept in, holding his body in a veil of guilt that stubbornly wouldn't let go. He brought his hand forward and tried to light a fire again, the resulting flame a weak and quivering orange ember. As his mind recollected the blue embers he shivered, the flame in his hand growing smaller and smaller until it wouldn't light anymore.
A knock came from his door but he couldn't hear it. The only thing his mind was focused on was why he had been able to produce that kind of fire. His guilt over who he'd burnt suddenly pushed away and the desire to know more growing. His hand warmed up to the idea, the energy growing louder and angrier until the flame came out again, only this time it was unnaturally stable despite its size. A sliver of a smile crept onto his face as he thought of how to make it stronger but a wave suddenly crashed his thought process.
Guilt, doubt and fear. He didn't believe it was him, thinking of the time he had first created a spark of blue fire in front of his Grandfather. The joy, determination at the time and the pure will to impress his father had resulted in that success. But was that him? His mind raced to find an answer but didn't stop at one, thinking and re-thinking whether he had really did that or whether it was someone else. The idea of producing blue fire when angry was intriguing, almost delicious for the young mind of Tadashi but that fear, possibility of hurting someone he loved attacked his heart in way he didn't realise. He imagined Zuko struck down by fire, Aki blown away in a feat of strength, Naoko silenced by a furious flame and his power increasing every time. He saw Azula, trying to achieve similar levels of power before being swallowed in a sea of blue, dying by his own hand, the ability to even stop himself lost in essence as he had given up for power, for untameable power.
Aki had been watching the whole time, at first she hesitated before entering the room but Tadashi was paler than usual. His whole body shaking slight and his hands over his head. Wanting to say something she heard a small muttering sound coming from the young prince and upon getting close enough heard his almost crazed like apology.
'Stop, I can't. Stop, I'm sorry. I don't want you to die. This isn't me, I can't stop. No…I-'
Aki embraced the young boy, hugging him tightly and speaking to him in the way a mother would. Her words resembled what she had heard in her childhood, words of comfort, meaningless words that could only heal the mind and not the body.
In truth she was certainly afraid of what to say, not wanting to damage the boy further. She had heard from Naoko that he could be fragile but never believed it. Every day he'd have a positive attitude, an inquisitive mind but this was something she hadn't seen before and the others couldn't find out about. She stroked Tadashi's hair, the top-knot having been removed a long time ago. Her hand still hurt, but Sikumi quickly removed the worst of the damage with her healing. In fact she suspected that there'd be little to no trace of any burning because of her.
"Don't worry, we forgive you." Aki said, "You are not hurt, you are whole, you are strong, you are our prince."
Tadashi continued to mutter, his voice gradually dropping, and the flame he saw in his mind extinguishing, unknowingly having exhausted his inner chi searching out for a heat signature. He searched for Zuko, his mother, his father and Azula. He searched until the strength left his mind and he fell into a complete sleep, not knowing he was being held by Aki and that he was staining her arms with his tears.
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In the depths of the forest Aang felt the heat in the area around him. The chi of so many firebenders was certainly unnerving. He approached the cottage that looked yet stable and took a deep breath as he walked into the dark room.
In here the amount of chi resonated.
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Candles were littered about, the flames all flickering in a controlled manner where the man seated meditated.
"Get out."
"Master, I need to learn firebending." Aang complained.
"Only a fool seeks his own destruction." The man retorted.
"I'm the Avatar, it's my destiny to-" Aang started saying before getting interrupted.
"Destiny? What would a boy know of destiny? If a fish lives its whole life in this river, does he know the river's destiny? No! Only that it runs on and on out of his control! He may follow where it flows, but he cannot see the end. He cannot imagine the ocean."
"Okay, that's certainly true, but it's the Avatar's duty to master all of the bending disciplines."
"Ha! To master the bending disciplines, you must first master discipline itself. But you have no interest in this, so I have no interest in you! Now, get out."
"Please, I have to learn. This could be my only chance. I know there are good Fire Benders out there too, some have helped us."
"Are you deaf? How can I teach you if you refuse to listen? Before learning firebending you must learn water and earth. Water is cool and soothing, earth is steady and stable, but fire, fire is alive! It breathes, it grows. Without the bender, a rock will not throw itself! But fire will spread and destroy everything in its path if one does not have the will to control it! The one you claim helped you cannot control it and never will! That is its destiny! Destruction! You are not ready! You are too weak!"
As Jeong Jeong stopped talking the flames in the room erupted into an inferno of rage, twisting and turning until suddenly a boy wasn't standing in front of him but a fully realised Avatar, Roku.
"You think I am weak? You insult my family?" Roku asked, his eyes vacant but his voice full of anger.
"Avatar Roku! No, No! I did not mean that." Jeong Jeong stuttered, his respect overwhelmed him until a thought brought him back to his senses, "And boy is not ready….but how did I disrespect your family?"
"I am related to the Fire Nation Royal Family more than you realise," he said. "But this is information you must never share with Aang. You must also remember that I have mastered the elements a thousand times in a thousand lifetimes. Now, I must do it once again. You will teach the Avatar firebending."
As the intense fire suddenly dissipated Aang was left starting at the Master as if nothing had happened, his face looking expectedly towards the old man.
"Yes, yes, I will teach you." He muttered, rather annoyed.
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The disguised ship cruised along the ocean, heading to a port where reports stated Iroh and Zuko were anchored. The mood solemn on the ship that hadn't seen its leader in half a day. No one spoke about what had happened in the room. Aki remained passive, contemplating sending a message to Naoko for advice. Sikumi remained enthusiastic and acted as if nothing happened. However Kuro, although promising to keep quiet, worked about with a grumble. The words spoken by the boy having affected him more than he realised.
A knock sounded on his door.
"Go away!"
Aki entered anyway.
"The crew is getting anxious. Usually you're one of the first out and they're wondering when you'll come out."
For a while no response came and Aki considered taking another step into the room when Tadashi spoke.
"How can I after what I did?"
Aki sighed, honestly frustrated that she was the only person that could deal with it but finding a hint of delight in the fact that she indeed could help him.
"I'm fine, so is Sikumi and Kuro's just grumpy but he's always been like that."
"That's not what I'm worried about, what if I can't control it?" Tadashi turned around and faced Aki, the concern on their faces almost identical. "What if it's worse next time?"
"I don't know," Aki admitted, "But I think I know someone who does."
Tadashi looked at the captain slightly confused as she looked about awkwardly before speaking again.
"We decided to sail towards General Iroh so that we could convey the information directly. We…um also believe it'd be best if you speak to your uncle."
Aki tensed, waiting for Tadashi to lash out, the night before wasn't the first time she had heard about his disdain for his uncle.
"It was the best decision." Tadashi sighed, surprising Aki. "I…..well, how…um-"
"Apology accepted, go and see General Iroh and the others will be ok too." Aki answered.
"Sure," Tadashi smiled, "but probably not Kuro."
"No," Aki chuckled, "probably not him."
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Iroh walked hesitantly with his guest in tow and upon reaching Zuko's door pushed it open where his nephew was busy sulking.
"For the last time, I'm not playing the tsungi horn!" he shouted.
"No, it's about out plans. There's a bit of a problem." Iroh replied as Zhao walked into the room.
"I'm taking your crew" he said with a sadistic smirk.
"What?!" Zuko turned around to face Zhao.
"I've recruited them for a little expedition to the North Pole."
"Uncle, is that true?"
"I'm afraid so. He's taking everyone…..even the cook." Iroh replied.
"Sorry you won't be there to watch me capture the Avatar. But I can't have you getting in my way again."
"No!" Zuko lunged towards the admiral but was held back by Iroh.
Taking the moment to look around Zhao noticed a pair of swords hanging on the wall. His temper suddenly rose as he recognised the shape of the blade. Reaching for one of the swords, he took it off the wall and inspected it close up, resulting in Zuko looking dumbfounded at the Admiral, recognizing the danger he was in.
"I didn't know you were skilled with broadswords, Prince Zuko." Zhao pondered, giving the sword a swing for good measure.
"I'm not. They're antiques. Just decorative." Zuko answered quickly.
"Have you heard of the Blue Spirit, General Iroh?" Zhao asked, ignoring the prince's answer.
"Just rumours. I don't think he is real." Iroh muttered.
"Interesting, your other nephew knows better than that. He's certainly real. He's a criminal, and an enemy of the Fire Nation. But I have a feeling justice will catch up with him soon, the other boy even agrees." Zhao spoke, giving the sword to Iroh, "General Iroh, the offer to join my mission still stands…..if you change your mind."
"You were with Tadashi?" Zuko asked, stopping Zhao who was about to walk away.
"Oh of course, he's not nearly as pathetic as you, after all the Fire Lord still communicates with him." Zhao laughed, walking off as Zuko scowled.
"You shouldn't let that man get to you, it could be your downfall." Iroh warned.
"I know Uncle." Zuko sighed, "Just…..leave me."
"As you wish."