The Elements of Nature, Book 1: 火 & 水 (Fire & Water)

by Superior-Doc-Fossil

Chapter 5, The Blue Spirit

At the shore of a lake a few miles away from Fire Nation Colony 15, Firebrand is doing some yoga with the Cutie Mark Crusaders, something they have done together since they left Canterlot.
“Everythin’ all right Firebrand? You seem a bit distracted today.”
“Yes, but I saw the map the old stallion gave us. We’re near the Northern Air Temple. I just think I should go to the temple alone.”
“Why?” Twilight asked a bit later.
“He doesn't want us to get hurt.” Scootaloo told her.
“You saw what happen the last time he had a vision. He just doesn't want us to get hurt is all.” Sweetie said.
“I don’t think that's a good idea.” Shining said. “We started a rebellion.”
“I’ll try to talk him out of going alone.” Twilight said. She then walks over to Fire’ to talk to him.
Later that night, Twilight wakes up and sees that Firebrand is gone, a note is in his bag. It says, “I’ll be back when I can. I’ll meet you at the next town.”
Shining also sees that he's gone. “I guess your little talk didn't work.”
“He’ll be back in a day.”
“The Fire Nation is following us. If we make a wrong move, they’ll catch him.” Shining said to his little sister.

At the Northern Air Temple, Firebrand is busy exploring. He then sees an old unicorn mare with a light brown mane and tail while her coat is an earth brown. “And who are you?” She asked, but she then notices his mane and tail. “Why, it cannot be! I’ve heard stories. Are you...?”
Firebrand then nodes his head saying yes. “My name is Firebrand.”
“I cannot believe I’ve lived to see your return. I’m an Geo Firma villager, but I visit these temple remains often.” The old mare said.
Firebrand then takes a look around. “The Fire Nation has destroyed this temple. They have ruined everything.”
“No, no, no, not everything. You know, there’s a hidden chamber of statues. I think you, of all ponies, should see.”
She then takes him the chamber. It is similar to a giant spiral stair case with statues of ponies going up at least 20 stories. “These are all the Avatars. These are the reincarnations of you, before the spirit was divided, over the years. The Avatar Roku, an alicorn and Celestia and Luna’s father, was your last life. When did you first learn about your Firebending?”
“When I was young. The village elder of my home wanted to take me away to see what I am. I ran, but when I finally returned, every one I knew and loved was gone.”
“You seem like a nice young stallion. You really do. You will forgive me, won’t you?” The mare asked.
“For what?”
“For luring you down here.” She then pulls out a knife and then some Fire Nation soldiers come out of their hiding places from behind the statues. “I have lived in poverty because of you absence, Fire Avatar. So you would understand my actions today.” More soldiers soon come running in and one puts a saddle bag full of money on her as she leaves.

Later that night, Firebrand is being held up with chains to the ceiling. There is no fire for him to use, so he's trap. He then closes his eyes and enters the Spirit World.

He then goes to the Dragon Spirit as fast as he can. "I have seen a vision of the moon turning red and Princess Luna dying soon after. The Fire Nation has stolen knowledge of us from the Grate Library in the Himalayas. They are planning to misuse this knowledge."
"I will stop them, but I need to find the other Avatars. Where are they?"
"The Avatar of Water is at Pegasus City at the North Pole. You must go there. If they take that city, more will suffer and die, as your home land of Abysus did. You must go now!"
"Will I stop them?" But before the dragon spirit could answer, Firebrand hears another voice and leaves the Spirit World.
“Wake up, young stallion!”

 Fire’ then opens his eyes and sees a Fire Nation solider in front of him. “My name is Commander Zhao. I set this trap for you. Don’t worry, I’m not going to kill you.” He the begins to walk around Firebrand. “Besides, you just be reborn again, and the search will continue.”
Zhao then stops in front of Fire’. “I understand that when you freed those hoof full of towns, you were very impressive. But you only used firebending. Now why is that?”

Outside the temple, a tank is going across the bridge to the temple. Underneath it is a pony in a blue robe and a demonic midnight blue mask. “The Fire Lord and I have a plan to ensure our reign and the downfall of our enemies.” Zhao announced as the spirit then jumps over the wall and heads to where Fire’ is being held. “I am sending a personnel message to the Fire Lord, informing him that the once feared Avatar of Fire is no longer a threat to our might.”
In the dungeons, a guard sees a bright light and investigates. He then sees a helmet being thrown across the floor. He goes to it and sees two other guards, both of them are being held by ropes to the ceiling and that they are unconscious. Then the spirit sneaks up behind him and knocks him out like the others. In the room Fire’ is being held, he sees the spirit opening the door quietly.
“Who are you?” The spirit then takes both one of his swords and Fire’s and heads toward him. “Wait! Don’t!” The spirit then cuts both the chains. “Stop!” He then cuts the cuffs and gives Fire’ his sword back. A couple of minutes later, a guard and Zhao head down to check up on the guards and see that two guard are asleep and hanging from the ceiling while the third is on the floor. The guard goes to the top floor to tell everypony what has happened.
“Fools.” Zhou said.
The guard that was with him goes to a tower. “Close the inner gates! The Fire Avatar has escaped!” They do so. A couple of soldiers are about to enter a tunnel when fire comes out and they are thrown back. Firebrand and the mask vigilant exit the tunnel soon after. The soldiers get ready for a fight.
“Lock down the gate! Lock down all the gates!” A solider yelled out. A solider appears from behind in the tunnel with a flamethrower and shots at the two. They dodge and Firebrand bends the fire to get rid of some of the soldiers. Fire’ moves toward a stone circle with pliers holding another circle, hanging from it some boards.
“This looks like it was their main practice area.” Fire’ then uses his firebending to make the fir move the boards out evenly. Then he uses the fire to close the area off, trapping a solider in. Fire’ then trips him on his back and throws him out. The spirit has taken out 20 soldiers and is ready to take care of a few more. Fire’ uses his firebending to throw some more Fire Nation troops away. The spirit and Fire’ eventually do a back to back.
Zhao then yells out at the soldiers “Do not kill the Fire Avatar! He’ll just be reborn again!” The Spirit then goes around Fire’ and places one of his swords at Fire’s neck. “Why are you doing this? Who are you?” The spirit says nothing in response. After a moment, Zhao realize that the spirit will kill Fire’ if they don’t go. “Open the gates. Let them out!” The spirit with Fire’ in tow begins to take his leave. Zhao then heads to a tower.
“Is it a some kind of Spirit, Commander?”
“Not at all.” He then turns to a solider holding a bow and arrow. “Do it.”
He fires the arrow and it hits the pony’s mask on the other side of the bridge, breaking the mask and knocking him out. The soldiers at the temple see this and charge. Firebrand then removes the mask and sees Prince Zuko. Fire’ then uses both his firebending and his sword to make a distraction so they can get away. Using fire from nearby torches, he makes a small inferno that engulfs part of the bridge, stoping the troopers. Zhao sees it and wonders for a moment. “What is this?” When the smoke finally clears, both Firebrand and Zuko are gone.

The next morning in a forest, Fire’ is sitting near Zuko, waiting to see if he’s OK. He then leaves before Zuko wakes up.

In the Fire Nation, Zhao is heading for the Fire Lord’s chamber to discuss what happened. “And how did he escape?”
“I fear your son is not only incompetent, but also a traitor. Of course, I cannot prove this, sire.”
“You think...” the Fire Lord angrily said, “my son is this pony the soldiers are calling the Blue Spirit.”
“Yes.” Zhao firmly said.
“Do not harm my son. Leave him to his isolation.” The Fire Lord firmly said.
“You have my word, sire. I will not harm him.”

Back at Fire Nation Colony 15, Zuko walks up to his Uncle who is getting a hoof message. “Zhao’s troops were searching the coast, looking for you. They also searched the ship. I told them you were on a vacation with a girl. Where were you for the past 4 days?”
“Nowhere.” Zuko said after a moment. “We have to keep moving. The Fire Avatar is traveling again.”
“Take rest first. It looks like you went through a great deal. When you wake, we’ll have tea together before we start the engines.”
“All right uncle.” Zuko then heads to his ship.
In Zuko’s bead chamber, he is getting ready to go to sleep. He gets in bed, but he smells something. It is gas. He looks for the source and sees a gas pipe leaking on an open flame. He then runs as fast as he can. Outside, Iroh sees Zuko's bed chamber explode, and pushes the hoof massager out-of-the-way. “ZUKO!”

At the North Pole, the group arrive. They are ridding in a boat to avoid any Fire Nation troops looking up to the sky. “I hate the cold.” Fire’ said while shivering.
“Cheer up Fire.’” Twilight said to him. “We’ll be at Pegasus City soon.”

"And what of the Fire Avatar?" The Fire Lord asked Zhao
"We assume he has rejoined his supporters." Zhao said. "It has been conformed he is traveling north. I believe that the colt is telling the truth about him only being able to bend only one element, and like the prophecy said, that there are four more Avatars. It is also my strong believe he is traveling to Pegasus City at the North Pole, possibly to find the Avatar of Water. I also believe that Celestia and Luna are seeking aid, if we are to attack Equestria."

The group then see some pegasi flying and are taken to the city. They see a giant wall of ice move so they can enter. Once they do, they are greeted by the inhabitants, who are all pegasi. The city itself is made up of a giant block of ice. "This place is amazing." Rainbow said as they are led to the royal court.