Side Chapter - Fire Nation

Zhao stood aboard his ship and sneered at the waters below. His plans to conquer the North Pole had to be put on hold because of the "Spirit" that guarded the sea lanes. Most of the locals believed that it was Donna, the protector of all life and people in the North from the atrocities of the Fire Nation. But Zhao knew better. He always knew better.

There shouldn't have been any Spirits underwater at the North Pole, the Fire Nation library records were infallible before, and they will be infallible now. The only thing that was in the depths of the North Sea was a living legend comparable to spirits - an Octopus-Eel. A monster with a long body growing along the bottom of the sea and many tentacles that sailors sometimes see.

Zhao was not stupid enough to even think about killing this monster, at least right now. He had a couple of ideas on how to get rid of her for good, but for now he had to focus on his first mission. The Moon.

The Wan Shi Tong's library was very helpful in approaching his destiny, from the moment Zhao learned of the existence of the Spirits of the Sea and the Moon, he knew then and there that the task of putting an end to Waterbending fell on his shoulders. Without the Spirits of the Sea and the Moon, the pitiful Water Tribes will not stand a chance.

Oh, his path has not been easy, at least the last couple of weeks.

His hand went up to his face and Zhao sneered. The exiled Prince Zuko challenged him to Agni Kai due to his provocations. The General was sure that the arrogant child would not even be able to hit him, but he was wrong. Now half of his face was burned, just like Zuko's was. It was an accidental shot that Zhao didn't have time to dodge and now he was like an ugly reflection of the dead Prince.

The irony of such a scar was not lost on Zhao. Perhaps it was the mark of anyone who dares to hunt the Avatar, he mused. And it was quite possible that it was the Spirits who aimed fire at his face as a warning, he knew what the bastards were capable of.

The said "dead" Prince was right now standing as Iroh's personal guard and quietly discussing future plans with him. It's a wonder how much a simple helmet and a fake accent can achieve.

"Once we arrive in the North, you will need to find a hole in the city's defenses." Iroh said, but couldn't hide his excitement for his nephew. "But Zuko, is that what you really want? We can start a new life in the Earth Kingdom-"

"No, uncle." Zuko interrupted Iroh's next tirade. "This is my- our chance to get my father's attention and return home. I'm sure everything will be fine." His gaze was full of determination and Iroh sighed heavily. He tried to show Zuko that now his path would only lead to self-destruction, but his nephew was stubborn, just like he himself was in his youth.

But what they were doing right now was dangerous. Zhao became much more violent and brutal in his actions, to the point where even Iroh wasn't sure what was going on in his head. Usually the General - no, he was an Admiral now - was easy to read, but now it was almost impossible. Iroh's stomach twisted in an uncomfortable feeling, as if the universe itself had warned him to keep an eye on Zhao.

Zuko, meanwhile, was deep in thought. His thoughts kept returning to Waterbender, whom he had only seen once with the Avatar. Michael was his name? He wasn't sure. The parting words swirled in his head, igniting the fire of rage in his soul. How could some bastard from the North know what was going on in his family?! What does he know about his father?! Zuko was sure that when the Avatar was thrown at Ozai's feet, he would forgive him and restore his position in the family.

But doubts had long since settled in Zuko's head. Did Ozai really love him like a son? Was this man capable of love? If so, why did he even banish him in the first place?

"Everything will be fine." He muttered.