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Post by luthien on Jan 21, 2007 11:51:33 GMT -5
*Karmas* Nandireya, I can't tell you how fantastic and engrossing this story is! Once I start reading a passage, I can't stop. This is so well-written - I can honestly say I can see all this plausibly happening on the show. All the characters are completely in-character, the situations you set up are 100% believable (including Zuko's entreating of the GAang to help him rescue Iroh), the details are beautiful, and it all makes sense in the Avatar-verse. Even the inclusion of Jee (who would probably be sympathetic to Zuko, given that he now knows what happened during the Agni Kai) and Chey. And I know this might sound dopey, but this tale is cheering me up. It's what I truly hope for Zuko. I'll hold this in my heart to satisfy me until Season 3 premieres - thank you!
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nandireya
Zuko's Path to Redemption Mod
...tickled pink...
Posts: 6,822
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Post by nandireya on Jan 22, 2007 1:26:49 GMT -5
And I know this might sound dopey, but this tale is cheering me up. It's what I truly hope for Zuko. I'll hold this in my heart to satisfy me until Season 3 premieres - thank you! It doesn't sound dopey at all...that's exactly why I'm writing it...to cheer myself up after the season finale...if I can add a little cheer to others, all the better ;D And thanks for the karma...
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Post by Ryth76 on Feb 9, 2007 23:31:56 GMT -5
Oi! This is great ;D! I think Itoko sounds like a kirin or qilin. One of the "asian unicorns". If I'm right, that's really fitting for the story from the legends I've heard. But if I'm wrong... I'm clueless ^^;; Yes...and I may work in the 'Lu Ten taught Zuko swordplay' as recently discussed in the 'Zuko and his Broadswords' thread... Problem: In the Nick Avatar site, it says in the Blue Spirit character section that Zuko acquired the skill of using his blades during his years at sea. Also, an update about the guy in Ozai's war room. His name has been revealed to be General Bujing on Nick.com (and the War Minister's name was Qin, besides ^^
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nandireya
Zuko's Path to Redemption Mod
...tickled pink...
Posts: 6,822
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Post by nandireya on Feb 10, 2007 1:00:52 GMT -5
Thank you...I shall now blush I think Itoko sounds like a kirin or qilin. One of the "asian unicorns". If I'm right, that's really fitting for the story from the legends I've heard. But if I'm wrong... I'm clueless ^^;; I do think my description made what he is rather obvious...he will appear in crappy fanart form eventually which will leave no doubt. There's only three characters that actually recognise what he is because his kind has not been seen for over a hundred years... Yes...and I may work in the 'Lu Ten taught Zuko swordplay' as recently discussed in the 'Zuko and his Broadswords' thread... Problem: In the Nick Avatar site, it says in the Blue Spirit character section that Zuko acquired the skill of using his blades during his years at sea. Yeah...I saw that...so I won't be working it in Also, an update about the guy in Ozai's war room. His name has been revealed to be General Bujing on Nick.com (and the War Minister's name was Qin, besides ^^ I got the War Minister's name from ASN's transcript...I'll have to edit the chapter... I have written 3 pages of the next chapter...they usually run about 8 (A4 pages)...but I have to watch an episode of the show to write the rest and I'm still having some difficulty doing that...haven't really watched an episode since the finale...I got the first Book Two DVD last Thursday and I still haven't watched it...
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Post by luthien on Feb 10, 2007 5:37:22 GMT -5
Oh Nandireya, I hope you can bring yourself to watch the episodes you need - I can't wait until the next chapter of your saga! It really is an excellent fic.
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Post by Ryth76 on Feb 10, 2007 14:37:31 GMT -5
I'm sorry I spoke...
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nandireya
Zuko's Path to Redemption Mod
...tickled pink...
Posts: 6,822
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Post by nandireya on Feb 11, 2007 2:42:48 GMT -5
I've watched it now...luckily it was a Zuko-free episode...I'm just working the dialogue out in my head...
And why are you sorry you spoke, Ryth? Did I say too much...or something to upset you?
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Post by Empy on Feb 11, 2007 9:40:06 GMT -5
I think she's sorry that you can't use the "Lu-Ten teaches Zuko broadswords" aspect in your story.
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Post by Ryth76 on Feb 11, 2007 14:22:28 GMT -5
Lol! No... When Nandireya blushed, I thought I said something wrong *sheepish grin*
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nandireya
Zuko's Path to Redemption Mod
...tickled pink...
Posts: 6,822
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Post by nandireya on Feb 11, 2007 21:18:30 GMT -5
It was an 'Oh gosh, darn...you like me, you really like me' kind of blush...that's cool isn't it?
Now...to the writing desk! Well...the computer...
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Post by Ryth76 on Feb 11, 2007 21:20:02 GMT -5
Yeah, but you gotta admit doesn't look that happy xD. (wishes there was a happy blush smilie ) Can't wait to read more of this! This is awesome! *karma*
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nandireya
Zuko's Path to Redemption Mod
...tickled pink...
Posts: 6,822
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Post by nandireya on Feb 15, 2007 6:19:04 GMT -5
This is probably actually half of what I was planning to write for chapter five, but I figured you guys would rather have two shorter chapters than wait for however long it'd take me to complete the whole thing... __________________
Chapter Five
Toph sighed dramatically as she trailed behind Katara through the markets. The Water Tribe girl glanced back at her as she deposited a large marrow in the basket the younger girl was carrying.
"Why exactly did I get stuck with this job?" Toph finally grumbled.
"Because I need help carrying the supplies." Katara told her. "And everyone else is too recognisable."
"Sokka's not recognisable." She snorted.
"Or too wanted..." Katara added, ignoring the comment about her brother, as she noticed a pair of rough looking men studying the village’s notice board.
"Hello!" Toph waved her hands at her. "I'm wanted too!"
"By a pair of earthbenders..." Katara pointed out. "Not by every bounty hunter or money grabber known to man."
She sighed deeply as she returned to the perusal of the produce stands. It had been a very long month. Aang's healing was not going well. Even with her help, the injury inflicted by Azula had been so severe he was still not entirely back on his feet. He tired easily and hadn't been able to practice any of his bending, nor had he even begun firebending.
They had decided to return to the North Pole soon after they had passed over the outer wall of Ba Sing Se. It was probably the safest place on the planet, a haven where Aang could rest and recuperate, and where they’d have greater access to the water of the Spirit Oasis that had saved his life. Kuei would be safe there, and, with their support, Iroh would be welcomed.
She didn't know what to make of the old firebender, he seemed as mysterious as his nephew. He tended to keep to himself, only really talking to Toph, and more often than not she would find him silently turning the ornate knife over and over in his hands. It was obvious that he deeply missed his nephew and that he feared for him. The bond the two shared was strong, and it had totally changed her mind about both of them. As she had predicted, when he had awoken in their midst he had been adamant about returning to the city to retrieve Zuko. It had taken a lot to persuade him otherwise. Even when she’d presented him with the knife and told him what the young prince had said about facing the consequences of his actions he had been loath to do nothing. He'd only resigned himself to follow his nephew's wishes when he learned Zuko was no longer in Ba Sing Se...that he had, in fact, returned home. Katara was still unsure as to how he’d found out, but she didn't question him.
She wanted to do something to cheer him up, there was something in her that just wanted to see everyone happy, and on seeing the tea vendor she knew just what to do.
Toph sniffed the air as they stopped again. She could hear Katara pick up something, smell it herself and put it back. The young earthbender reached out to touch a small package of rough-hewn fabric. She brought it to her nose and inhaled deeply. She smiled as she placed it back, picking up another. She nodded at the scent.
"This one." She tossed it towards Katara.
"How do you know this is the right one?" Katara frowned as she tentatively sniffed the package.
"He reeks of that stuff." She smirked.
"We'll take this one." Katara said as she held it out to the vendor.
"Jasmine..." He nodded. "A good choice...an excellent blend..."
The young pair headed out of the village, both smiling to themselves at the thought of making someone else happy, or at least as happy as they could make him. Katara slowed as they approached the notice board, a new poster with bright colours catching her eye.
"Why have we stopped?" Toph asked.
"Oh no..." Katara whispered as she quickly scanned the poster.
"What is it?" Toph frowned, sensing the changes in her heartbeat and breathing. "What's wrong?"
"We have to get back!" She said, tearing the poster from the board. "We have to get back now!"
~~~~~~
The first person she usually looked for when she entered camp was Aang, but this time her attention was focused firmly on the former Fire Nation General. As she expected, he was absently turning the knife in his hands, his face a mask of concern and pain. She glanced at the scrap of paper in her hand.
'Maybe it's better if he doesn't know...' She thought.
"Whatta ya got there?" Sokka asked snatching the poster from her hand.
"Sokka...wait..." She protested, trying to snatch it back but he kept it out of her reach.
"So...angry jerk's got himself a new wanted poster..." He said as he began studying it. "And a nice new set of duds..."
"What?" Iroh looked up.
"I thought we'd agreed not to call him that." Aang reminded him as he glanced at Iroh who had approached at the mention of his nephew.
"'By order of his great and powerful majesty, Fire Lord Ozai, equal of heaven and earth, ruler of all he surveys'..." Sokka snorted looking up from his reading. "Can you believe this guy? What an ego!"
"Sokka...please..." Katara pleaded in a whisper, her eyes flicking towards Iroh, but he ignored her.
"'...the traitorous Zuko, former royal heir to his imperial greatness, has been deemed...'"
He paused, his eyes widening as he suddenly realised why his sister had been so desperate for him to stop...she had wanted to spare the old man.
"Has been deemed what?" The old man in question prompted, his expression already telling them that whatever was written on the parchment, he knew it wouldn’t be good.
There was sympathy in the boy's blue eyes as he continued. "'...has been deemed too dangerous to be allowed to live...'"
Iroh snatched the poster from Sokka's grasp, quickly scanning the remaining lines in silence, lowering his head as he finished.
"What did he do?" Toph asked quietly.
Sokka moved closer to the older man and read over his shoulder. "'...due to his continued refusal to conform to that which is expected of him and his most treacherous attack on the very person of his most esteemed liege and sire..."'
"Attempted regicide?" Kuei, the former Earth King frowned. "That is very serious..."
"He tried to kill his father?" Aang asked incredulously.
"No..." Iroh shook his head. "Zuko is many things, but he is no killer...whatever occurred, my brother has no doubt twisted it to serve his own purposes. And all of my people will accept it...whether they know the true Zuko or not...the Fire Lord’s word is law."
"We'll find him..." Aang moved to Iroh side, using his staff to support himself. "We can protect him...help him...bring him into the group..."
"Yeah..." Sokka snorted. "Let's collect all of Ozai's most wanted in the same place..." Aang just threw him a nasty look.
"I appreciate the thought, Avatar...but where do you suggest we commence our search?" Iroh sighed. "His last know whereabouts was the Fire Nation capitol...and we are far from ready to enter there..."
"There's got to be something we can do." Katara frowned.
"The guy's not stupid..." Sokka said. "Even if he has done some stupid things...made some stupid decisions...stupidly put his faith in people he had no reason to trust...all he's got to do is keep his head down until the war's over...then Ozai’s death mark will be null and void, right?" He looked as Iroh.
"My nephew and the Avatar have many things in common." Iroh sighed. "But there is one that stands out above all others. Even if they do not go seeking trouble, it has a habit of finding them..."
~~~~~~
Zuko glanced about him with a mixture of shock and awe. Chey had called it a camp, but the settlement they were approaching looked more like a village. Admittedly, the structures were fairly ramshackle and didn't look at all permanent, even the ones roofed in sheets of metal, but the toiled fields that surrounded them appeared very well established. As did the raised wooden trough that brought water into a large, stone well in its centre.
He also noticed that many of the people who were working the fields or tending to other tasks around their merger dwellings had stopped to gape as he passed. He felt extremely self-conscious, even pulling the hood of his travelling cloak further forward to hide his face, until he realised they weren’t looking at him. They were staring at the golden creature at his side.
Itoko was trotting along oblivious to the stares he was receiving, sniffing the air and making strange little noises that only drew more attention.
"There are so many..." Zuko observed quietly.
"Yeah..." Chey nodded. "Ozai's a real piece of work." Then he realised who he was talking to. "Um...no offence..."
"None taken..." Zuko muttered. He knew what his father was, but it was still hard for him to accept it. He heard a gentle snort and felt Itoko nudge his arm. He looked at the creature to find him gazing up at him with soulful eyes. Zuko smiled and ruffled his fiery mane. He always seemed to know what he was feeling...and how to make him feel better...
"We were mostly former soldiers..." Chey explained. "Disillusioned by the war, just sick of fighting for something that we felt was wrong. Then I got separated from the others, I don't really know what happened...something bad with the Avatar and Zhao, I think...but our last camp was pretty much torched..."
Itoko nuzzled Zuko's hand when he tensed at the mention of the pair.
"I was on my way to the fall-back point...we've got a new one now, I'll show you where it is later...when I met up with Captain Jee. I thought he was gonna haul me back home to your dad's tender mercies...but he didn't." He gestured to a fallen log outside one of the hovels...Zuko assumed it was his...before he continued.
"He knew who I was..." He presented Zuko with a tattered wanted poster. "I'm almost as infamous as you are." He grinned as he poked about in the small fire-pit in front of him, then sat a battered kettle over the flames. He seemed almost proud of the fact. "And he had a proposition for me..."
He hefted a large jug and filled the kettle with water along with a bowl he’d pulled from a shelf set into the wall beside the hovel's door, placing it on the ground for Itoko. Finally he sat down beside the young man.
"He told me about what was happening back home..." He sighed. "I had no idea things had gotten so bad. I guess running a war's pretty expensive. There were a lot of people homeless, hungry and dying all because of a madman's lust for power...uh..." He looked at Zuko a little guiltily, but Zuko just brushed it off. "They needed help...they deserved a better life...so we figured we should do something help them."
He poured the now hot water into a chipped teapot. Zuko accepted the teacup Chey offered him, but only gazed at the pale liquid he poured into it, a lump forming in his throat as the light scent of jasmine filled his senses.
"It took a lot to set it all up." Chey continued, not even noticing the effect his choice of refreshment had had on his new acquaintance. "Just getting word to us is pretty difficult...and it's in code...I don't even know how he collects people at his end..."
"I guess you and he are not the only links in the chain." Zuko said, swirling the tea in the cup in his hands. "Someone set it up for me...and I pretty much reacted to Jee in the same way you did..." He gazed off into the middle distance where the workers had returned to tending their crops. "It seems to be working well, though."
"Yeah." Chey agreed. "It was good to have the farmers join us. Soldiers don't know a whole lot about agriculture. We had a lot more contact with nearby villages before that, which was a pretty big risk. I got recognised a few times. We're pretty much self sufficient now. Everyone pulls their own weight around here..."
Zuko looked up sharply with concern.
"I don't know what I can do to contribute." He admitted. "I'm no farmer...and the last time I tried my hand at carpentry..." He flexed his thumb and sighed.
"We'll find you something." Chey smiled. "You're one of us now."
"He is NOT one of us." A voice both harsh and calm snorted.
The pair looked up into the stern, scared face of Jeong Jeong, though his narrowed eyes were focused only on Zuko. The former prince could feel him scrutinising him, judging him...and finding him wanting.
"He did not leave the Fire Nation out of an act of his conscious…nor did he flee to avoid wrongful persecution..."
"Actually..." Chey held up a finger but was quickly silenced by an irate glare.
"He has threatened lives...bullied people...destroyed homes...inflicted pain and suffering on more innocents than can be counted." Jeong Jeong growled. "He was instrumental in the fall of Ba Sing Se...and he has spent the past six months in the pursuit of a twelve year old boy...all at his father's direction."
He crouched down to be on the same level, but Zuko didn't raise his head to meet his eyes. "He has done nothing to prove that he is NOT his father's son!" Jeong Jeong spat before turning on his heal and marching away.
~~~~~~
The sun was setting when Chey approached Jeong Jeong. The old bender was gazing out over the tiny valley their compound was nestled in, watching, Chey noted, the newest member of their little society as he tended his exotic animal.
"You were a little rough on him don't you think?" Chey asked. Zuko hadn't spoken a word since his brief meeting with the firbending master. "He..."
"...has more control than I expected." Jeong Jeong cut him off. "I thought he would challenge me to an Agni Kai on the spot...or at least hurled something at me...be it fire or verbal abuse. But he didn't even try to defend himself against my words..."
"You were testing him." Chey glanced at the older man.
"If the boy is to follow his father as Fire Lord we must make certain that he does not follow in his father's footsteps."
"But he's been banished...disowned...there's no way he's going to be Fire Lord." Chey frowned. "Is he...?"
Jeong Jeong smiled gently at the bewildered face of his companion. "Do you think the Avatar is the only one with a destiny?" He looked back at the young man...the only teenager amongst their group...who was now helping an elderly lady by carting her firewood for her.
"The Avatar may be destined to bring balance to the world...but it is this disillusioned prince ...this unwanted son...who will bring balance to the Fire Nation..."
Chey's eyes narrowed as he glanced at the older man. "Have you been talking to dead people again?"
Jeong Jeong's only response was a dry chuckle.
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Jenny Lee
Ba Sing Se Azula
Icon by me, sig by Catalyst
Posts: 2,765
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Post by Jenny Lee on Feb 15, 2007 7:48:37 GMT -5
Nice chapter! I'm glad you updated intstead of waiting. This chapters somewhat long anyway. I like the end: "Have you been talking to dead people again?" XD
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Post by Ryth76 on Feb 15, 2007 19:04:27 GMT -5
Oh Lawd! I love that! "Have you been talking to dead people again?" Lol! *wipes tear from eye*
You really make us hate Ozai just by reading the poster. It makes you want to gag just reading it. Poor Iroh and Zuko. And poor Zuko for getting the recieving end of Jeong Jeong's disapproving lectures xD
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Post by night on Feb 15, 2007 19:16:25 GMT -5
Gah...I <3 this story! =D
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