It's been a couple of weeks since our deal with June to capture the Avatar. During the mission, me and Zuko got paralyzed by June's shirshu, Nyla. A couple of guards had to help escort us back to the ship. Thankfully, the toxins only lasted a few days. Right now, we're having music night outside of the ship. Zuko decided to stay in room by himself while me, Iroh and the rest of the crew are enjoying ourselves.
As some crew members play music, I look at the moon. Looking at the moon reminds me of my Mom. I miss her and Dad. My Mom was born into the Southern Water Tribe. She and other natives there were captured by firebenders. She never told me what happened to her when she was taken, but did tell me that my Dad saved her life and they later got married, having me. While I'm still in my thoughts, the sound of another ship snapped me out of them. I look at the bigger ship and immediately recognized who it is; Zhao.
What does that no-good-sideburns-ignoramus want this time? Gloat in our faces that he'll capture the Avatar before we do. Anyway, he arrives on our ship and walks over to Iroh and me.
"Where's Prince Zuko?" he asks us.
"In his room." Iroh answers.
"What do you want Zhao?" I ask him with venom in my voice.
"I just have important news to share with prince charming and you."
"Well this better be important news." I replied.
"It will be. Take me to him." Zhao orders us and he follows me and Iroh to Zuko's room. I open the door and enter his room, following Iroh.
"For the last time, I'm not playing the tsungi horn!" Zuko yells at us.
"No, it's about our plans. There's a bit of a problem." Iroh explains to him.
Zhao enters his room with a smug look on his face. "I'm taking your crew." he announces. I widen my eyes, dumbfounded.
"What?!" both Zuko and I yell in union.
"I've recruited them for a little expedition to the North Pole." Zhao explains to us.
"Uncle, is that true?" Zuko asks Iroh.
"I'm afraid so. He's taking everyone ... " He puts his arm over his face in sorrow. "even the cook."
"Sorry you won't be there to watch me capture the Avatar. But I can't have you getting in my way again." Zhao gloats to Zuko.
Enraged, Zuko attempts to charge towards Zhao, but I grab his right upper arm. "No." I yell at the prince, preventing him from attacking the Commander.
Zhao noticed a pair of swords attached to the wall. Uh oh. I hope he doesn't realize that those swords were the same ones Zuko used disguised as the blue spirit. Over a month ago, I got ill and Zuko went out to find something to help with my conditions. He was in a black tight bodysuit with a strange looking blue masks. He gave me a frozen wood frog to suck on. He explained to me that he snuck into Zhao's fortress to capture and Avatar, but failed. But he did get a frozen frog for in the process.
Zhao picks up one the swords and starts to practice with it.
"I didn't know you were skilled with broadswords, Prince Zuko." he mentions.
"I'm not. They're antiques. Just decorative." Zuko lies.
"Have you heard of the Blue Spirit, General Iroh?" Zhao asks Iroh.
"Just rumors. I don't think he is real." Iroh replies.
"He's real, all right." Zhao hands the broad sword to Iroh. "He's a criminal, and an enemy of the Fire Nation. But I have a feeling justice will catch up with him soon." He moves to exit the cabin. "General Iroh, the offer to join my mission still stands ... if you change your mind."
He then turns his head me "Akira, this mission might be your chance. A chance to prove that you're more than just a low ranking servant to a prince. If you join me, I'll make you my lieutenant and the Fire Lord will give you credit for invading the Northern Water Tribe."
I look at Iroh and Zuko. I take a breath and declare my decision. "As promising s that sounds Zhao. I'm not joining your little 'expedition' to the Northern Water Tribe."
Zhao glares at me, but manages to compose himself, "Very well. Enjoy being a servant to a traitor." He leaves the cabin.
Later on, all the crew members (especially the cook) left to join Zhao. I don't know how feel. Shocked that all of our crew are gone or angered because of Zhao trying to have me join him. I think it might be more than being recruited for his army. I walk into the cabin to check on Zuko, along with Iroh. He's been in his room ever since the crew abandoned us. Me and Iroh stick our heads in Zuko's rooms.
"The crew wanted me to wish you safe travels." I tell him.
"Good riddance to those traitors." Zuko retorted bitterly.
"It's a lovely night for a walk. Why don't you join me? It would clear your head." Iroh asks Zuko, who doesn't respond. "Or just stay in your room and sit in the dark. Whatever makes you happy." he leaves and I make my way into Zuko's room. I place my hand on his shoulder.
"Hey, just know that I'm always there for you, no matter what. I'm gonna go and get some fresh air. Let me know if you need anything."
"Ok." he replies.
I head off the ship and into the forest. As I walk, I see two blue jays flying to their nest. If only I can tell Zuko how I truly feel about him. We were best friends since we were little. I started to have a crush on him when I was 7. I was always too shy to tell him that though. As we got older, our friendship became distant. I don't know if Zuko feels the same way about me. Speaking of Zuko, I hear an explosion and running towards it. The ship is on fire and Zuko's still in there.
"ZUKO!! NO!!" I scream and run to the ship. Before I could see if Zuko survived or not, A hand grabs a fistful of my hair. I cry out in pain and seize the arm that's manhandling me.
"Well, well, well, If it isn't the prince's concubine. Miss us?" A pirate asks me.
"I wouldn't say the same for you." I retorted, heating up my hands with firebending. I burn his arm and he yells in pain, releasing me. I get up take a fight stand. A muscular pirate attempts to punch me, but I dodge and throw him to the ground. Another throws a net in my direction and I kneel down, sliding under the net to avoid it. I unleash a fire blast at the 2nd pirate's feet and he backs away. Just as I'm about to discharge another firebending attack, a chain is wrapped around my neck.
It tightens around my neck as one of the pirates pull me closer and I struggle to breath. "You're a tough one. To bad you'll be someone else's meat." The pirate captain taunts.
'What is he talking about?' I question myself. Before I could say anything or attempt to free myself from these chains, a pirate throws a smoke bomb in my face. I cough and can't see anything. Suddenly, a hard object collides onto my head and everything turns black.