One day, as Zuko's ship was sailing amidst the ice floes of the far southern waters, he was startled out of a pleasant reverie by the sight of a bright blue beam of light shooting from the ground into the heavens. He reacted much as anyone would when they saw something they couldn't explain. "What in the world was that?" he demanded.
Right at that moment, he heard a pained cry. "Cadence?" He spun around, rushing to his cousin's side, getting there just as Iroh did.
Cadence was rubbing her forehead as her horn glowed and sputtered. "I'm...I'm alright..." she hastened to assure both of them. "I just...there was an energy surge in the spiritual plane...as though it felt the weight of a powerful spirit..."
"The Avatar!" the two men shouted at once, Zuko as a proclamation, Iroh as a question.
"Maybe," Cadence admitted. "If...if the Avatar were in the Avatar state...based on what I read, that might cause something like this..." She sighed in relief as the light beam faded from the sky, the discomforting weight on her spirit senses fading with it.
"Set course for that light!" Zuko ordered immediately, his crew leaping to follow the instructions.
The helmsman had run some calculations. "It will take us a few days to reach the source of the light," he declared.
"Are there any settlements of any sort around here?" Zuko inquired. "Close to the source of the light?"
"The only settlement of any sort in the area is the Southern Water Tribe, at the South Pole," the navigator explained. "Not much of a detour."
"How long to the South Pole?"
"About the same amount of time," the helmsman clarified.
Zuko thought about that for a few moments. "I'll be in my quarters," he stated. "I'm not to be disturbed unless some other significant event occurs, or we're in sight of the South Pole." Turning, he marched off.
Curious, Cadence followed him, wanting to see what he was up to. She found him sitting in a Lotus position, hands resting on his knees. "Zuko?" she asked.
Zuko smiled softly at her. "I'm going to need a clear mind and a calm heart when talking with the people in the village if we're going to get any cooperation," he explained. "So I intend to use the afternoon to meditate, get a good night's sleep, and spend the morning relaxing with you and Uncle over some tea. I'm going to need to keep myself calm for the next few days, after all."
Cadence couldn't help but smile. "Just make sure you eat something," she pointed out. "Even Uncle doesn't live on just tea."
Zuko rolled his eyes. "Yes, Mother," he replied sarcastically.
"And don't forget to brush your teeth!" Cadence called back as she dashed off.
Late afternoon on the second day, a Fire Nation signal flare was sighted from the direction of the South Pole settlement. The derelict ship it was launched from was visible through a spyglass...as were the two individuals leaping from it.
"The last Airbender," Zuko muttered as he watched the figures descend. "Quite agile for being over a century old." He frowned as he stared more closely. "...but why is he so tiny?"
"He?" Iroh asked curiously.
"There are two figures, one male and one female. The male was carrying the female, and leaping ten feet in the air at a time." Zuko pulled back from the spyglass. "And he's wearing Air Nomad garb, based on the drawings Cadence showed me from the books."
"Maybe the lady's his wife?" Cadence suggested hopefully.
"If she is, she's a leverage point we can use to force his cooperation," Zuko pointed out. Seeing Cadence's frown, he held out his hands. "What do you want me to do? We're dealing with someone who's had over a century to master the four elements. You've said yourself that you're only a novice bender in each Element, and I'm nowhere near a Fire Master. Even all of us together wouldn't stand a chance against him in a fight, especially if he draws on the Avatar State." Zuko had read avidly through the books Cadence had about the Avatar in preparation for this mission. "The only pressure we can apply to him is through those he cares about. That may be monstrous...but he's an enemy of the Fire Nation. We can't just let him go."
Sighing, Cadence nodded. "I know. I'll help how I can. But that doesn't mean I'm going to like it."
Zuko turned away. "...you aren't the only one," he muttered under his breath.
As Zuko prepared for the encounter with the small village, he decided that it would be imprudent to go unarmored. After all, there was always the chance the Avatar - or the villagers - might strike first. However, if he went fully armored, he might come across as hostile. As a compromise, he carried his helmet under his arm, and did his best to keep his expression neutral. There was only so much he could do as far as appearing friendly, considering the war and his scar, but diplomacy was a safer tact when dealing with someone as strong as the Avatar.
He also chose to leave his twin short swords behind. While he knew how to wield them, against the Avatar his fire would be more useful. He also firmly instructed Iroh and Cadence to stay on board the ship. As effective as each of them might have been in capturing the Avatar, he didn't want this capture to be the result of a Pai Sho wager...or the Avatar being too busy "coochie-coo"ing to defend himself. That would just be embarrassing.
As per his instructions, the boat stopped and anchored before actually touching the ice shelf, and the ramp was lowered carefully. At the sight of how ramshackle the settlement was - and how few of the buildings were actually made of ice or snow - Zuko relaxed. This indicated that there weren't that many Water Benders in the settlement, so they were unlikely to have to deal with anyone threatening besides the Avatar himself.
Once the ramp was lowered, Zuko and his armored guards marched around the village to where the snow wall had an opening for people to come in and out. Based on his Uncle's lessons, courtesy never hurt. As he entered, he saw that the village was populated almost entirely by old women, young women, and children. There was only one young man with warrior paint ready to face him, but he looked to be younger than Zuko himself...not to mention his knees were shaking.
"YAAAAAAAH!" the young man shouted, charging at Zuko with a weapon of some sort raised.
There were a number of ways Zuko could handle this situation. In the end, he decided to simply catch the weapon by the ball at the tip with one hand. "I do not come to make war on your people this day," he stated bluntly. "There is a certain individual I am seeking, not one of your tribe. If you and your people do not interfere, we will do you no harm this day."
"And what about all the harm you've done up till now?" the young man demanded. "Is that going to go away just because you're being nice, you damn Fire Nation flunky!?"
"Probably not," Zuko admitted. "But your cooperation will mean that we won't have to hurt anyone." Remembering something Mai's friend Ty Lee taught him, he brought his other hand up and jabbed the young man on the wrist with two fingers, causing his hand to reflexively open. Taking the weapon, Zuko examined it for a time, then reversed it and held it out to him. "Now, may I speak with the leader of your tribe? I'd prefer to keep this civil, if not civilized."
An old woman stepped forward. "What is it you want here?" she demanded.
"We are here in pursuit of the Avatar," Zuko stated bluntly. "He'd be about your age, with arrow tattoos."
"We have seen no one by that description," the old woman replied. "No one as you describe has ever lived here."
Zuko stared at her for a time, trying to determine the truth of her words. His ears suddenly twitched as he heard something approaching from behind him. Leaping into the air, he spun as he shot flames from his hands, giving him a burst of extra height as Iroh had taught him, using the trick he and Cadence had developed, applying Air Bending teachings to Fire Bending.
As the figure passed beneath him, he was glad he'd chosen not to wear his helmet into the village. With his ears covered, he'd have never heard their approach as they were riding a penguin. When he landed, Zuko saw the figure...a young boy of maybe 12 in Air Nomad attire with arrow tattoos.
"Looking for me?" the young boy demanded as he leapt to his feet, spinning a curious staff.
"You?" Zuko demanded. "You're that Avatar?"
"Aang?" he heard one of the young women - about the same age as the lone warrior - whisper.
"No way," the warrior added.
He saw the Avatar - Aang, presumably - assume a combat stance. Zuko raised his hand. "I have no intention of fighting you, Avatar. However, I will insist that you come with us."
"And if I refuse?" Aang demanded.
"Then you'll leave us with no choice but to destroy this village and kill everyone in it," Zuko replied bluntly, doing his best to keep his voice neutral as he spelled out such an atrocity. "Starting with the children."
Aang shivered, then nodded. "Alright. I'll go with you."
Nodding, Zuko gestured to his guards. They quickly moved up beside the Avatar, taking his staff as they guided him onto the ship.
On board the ship, Aang was quickly led down to the brig, wondering what his captor had meant about the 'special cell'. Noticing there were only two guards with him, he spoke up. "So...I'm guessing you've never fought an Air Bender before?"
"We have," the first guard replied.
"Wait, what?" Aang asked in confusion.
"Get the metal diaper," the second guard instructed. "We don't want any more Fart Bending."
"Fart Bending?" Aang asked, shocked. He then burst into laughter. "That sounds hilarious!"
"Not when you're smelling it," the first guard stated, locking something around Aang's waist...only for it to fall to the floor. "Uh...it's too big."
"Well, it is sized to an old man," the second indicated. "We weren't expecting a child."
As the two guards started arguing, Aang decided it was time to make his move. Taking a deep breath, he exhaled forcefully, blasting the two guards away from him before racing away, leaping upward to get his bound hands in front of him.
A blast of air slammed into him, knocking him against the wall. "And just where do you think you're going?" a female voice demanded.
Aang stared at the figure approaching him. "Oh my gosh, a talking goat-bird!" he gasped out. He dashed over to her. "So adorable!" he then began petting the multi-colored mane.
"Not a goat-bird," the filly complained. "But...that feels nice. I'm Cadence. What's your name?"
"I'm Aang. It's nice to meet you Cadence-"
Cadence spun and kicked him in the gut with both hind legs, knocking him back into the stairs. "And you're under arrest," she stated bluntly. "Don't run away now."
"Actually, I think that's just what I'll do!" Aang shouted, pulling his hands free. He'd caught the ropes on the tip of Cadence's horn, and her spinning kick had shredded them.
As Cadence watched Aang race around the ship, she frowned. "Oh, ponyfeathers," she spat, then paused to wonder why she used that word.
As Zuko watched the sky bison fly off with the Avatar, he made a mental note that putting the Avatar in mortal danger was a bad idea. Even as a child, the Avatar State was nothing to sneeze at. He was quite glad that Cadence had managed to duck under the watery assault and catch him with her magic, so he didn't end up in the freezing water.
"Well...that could have gone better," Cadence admitted sheepishly.
"At least a sky bison will be easier to track," Zuko grumbled. "Follow that bison!" Noticing his crew was mostly locked in ice, he sighed. "Just...as soon as you're all thawed out."
plane
And here we go. Looking forward to more.
Keep up the good work. Deus tecum.
I see Aang at least once trying Fart-Bending in the future.
WHHHAAAA wow Zuko is atcally being smart about this YAY
Loving this... Even if Cadence is on the "wrong" side.
now we need to see how Aang deals with the fact that he is not truly the last airbender; just the last human one, and what his thoughts are of cadence.
i thought that candiac would kick aang's ass
Awwwww,
The kanji for fire 火 and love 愛, cute!
Can't help but think of Gaara now though.
6531065
Well, with Aang being a kid, a great many assumptions are going to be challenged, leading to Zuko either defecting or joining forces with Aang and Cadance to dethrone his father earlier as a danger to himself and the world.
6531123 Yeah, Zuko's improved morals are a good start. At least he tried being civil at first.
Yep.
Hm...
Oh yeah.
He's right. Or he would be, if Aang wasn't only more or less and Air Master, or really skilled at any rate.
Agreed.
She's technically not lying.
That was fast.
That she is.
Much like Fortresshy, she's a bonafide Little Miss Badass!
Heh.
Very nicely played. I was wondering how this would play out with Zuko as he is in this story so far.
Wonder if Cadence will turn to the good side eventually?
This is going to be fun. Let the chase begin!
6531109 Where did you find this?
Finally caught up. Now to see if I cannot do the same with Sons of Damas...
6531434 You act as if that were an impossiblity. We're talking about the Princess of Love
Another enjoyable chapter. Good work.
Aang won't save the world...
None of the elements can save them...
Only Fart Bending shall save the world...
nice job on this man, heehehe
So we don't get to see their visits to the four air temples.
... Now they gave Aang the idea, they are going to be kicking themselves later. A legitimate Avatar using earth, water, and air bending to make them suffer and it will be blamed on them. I am going to call them Frank and Bob. I hope they choose to stay with Zuko on his trip until they get forced to join another unit. Also, Cadance and Iroh are probably the most calm people on the ship. Also, yay for Zuko going around to the proper opening rather than being an ass hole and breaking their wall.
6531836
...which scene, specifically?
6531746 Unless I miss my guess, Iroh was always calm.
6531885
Because I couldn't think of anything to add to it.
I'm liking this more and more. Keep up the good work.
No Zuko, going towards the light is the last thing you want to do. Technically.
The best way to keep calm is to have... A tea off.
At least Aang wasn't... Winded when he tried to escape.
A pity some guards were given the cold shoulder after having cold feet... Least they don't have a frozen heart huh?
This feels like two people who think there the good guy going after one another. And to tell the truth how it's written it kind of is. Kind of.
6532052 Socka jokes really.
I think I'm done reading these, they have gotten way too stail to je enjoyable
6532165
Yes, you will.
Great chapter.
6532052 Seem lacking in luster for the usual pun that you pulled
6532052
38.media.tumblr.com/17add1c808907da6af9331df4c231066/tumblr_mu3nasBWGN1rms74ro1_500.gif
thumbsup.in.th/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/General_2.jpg
6532052 I'll be honest... Not your best work.
6532052 eh.
I wonder if Cadence will change her song after she finds out the fire nation committed genocide against the air nomads.
6532199
6532466
6532550
Some chapters are harder than others to come up with. You win some, you lose some, oh well. Should I ask you guys to just... Let it Go for now?
Wow just looking at the top comments, am I one of the only ones who liked it? This is after all a VERY alternate universe, and I like the cool calm Zuko. Al though I wonder what Aang is thinking.
6532775 well your back
6532737 I'm sure she'll figure it out eventually, but Zuko and Iroh originally didn't visit the Southern Air Temple. They were trying to hide the fact that they found the Avatar from Zhao. Perhaps Cadance will overhear something there. Don't know if it'll change her opinion though. It was done 100 years ago by someone who's already dead. She hasn't personally seen Ozai do anything drastic, so she might think the Fire Nation is good. Perhaps once she sees the effects of the war, she'll have her doubts.
6532865 You're not the only one. I haven't been reading the comments on every chapter, but there was one guy who pretty much said he was burned out by reading too much of Tat's stuff. Kind of understandable. This is, what, his 8th story where X Pony ends up in Y Universe as an infant? While each entry has its ups and downs, they're overall pretty good. I personally like this one because I know about the Avatar universe. It's one of the few shows that I've actively rewatched. I like how Cadance has affected the world so far, and am interested in how things will go from here.
I'm still in the process of (finally) watching Avatar, but this chapter made me think. I know there's probably some compelling reason why the Avatar HAS to maintain balance (because the spirits probably wouldn't have went through all that effort just to make the humans play nice, personally betting Standard Fantasy Trope #57: it holds back the Sealed Evil In A Can) so it wouldn't have worked long-term, but...
When Zuko realized Aang was twelve, why didn't he attempt bribery first? That generally works better on kids than threats. "Promise not to learn other types of bending or fight us and we will let you live a life of luxury in the Fire Nation for the rest of your life." "I dunno..." "How much candy do you think you can eat? We'll give you more. We'll give you ALL THE CANDY!"
Just a thought...
As an aside: I won't be checking responses to this post, much like I'm not reading the rest of the comments, until I finish the series. Because spoilers.
6531661 for another gross bending idea try snot bending. Waterbenders grossest skill.
6531559
Wadda you mean?
It's on the cover art if that's what you're asking.
And that is how fart bending was unleashed two generations too soon!
6532775
Meh, the puns never bothered me anyway.
And that's the honest truth, the only person with arrow tattoos is a kid.
Nice chapter, though not how I wanted to see things go. Still, at least Zuko isn't viewed as a monster and should be able to be civil with Aang's group and work against them.
honestly I can't see cadence supporting the fire nation much past this, we know irohs faith began to wane when ozai gave what's his face so much power. but I think cadence would have clearly drawn the line sooner given what he did.
6533885 Beautiful, I approve of this
6533885 yellow snow bending?
Aang + fartbending = best combat strategy eva
Hot damn. You got Aang's personality down PAT in this. Great job tats
6536388 Aang would only need to suffocate Ozai, not beating him and throwing him through mountains