The Elements of Nature, Book 1

by The Avenger

Chapter 3, Zuko

At the town square, everypony in Ponyville is gathering as earth ponies in black armor and helmets that cover most of their faces are moving throw the streets, followed by the same colt who saw the beam of light from last night. “It can’t be a coincidence that when you try that spell, a light shots up into the sky last night, and now these guys show up with their tanks.” Rainbow quietly said to Twilight.
Celestia and Luna then walk up to the colt. Celestia spoke first. “I am Princess Celestia, Co-ruler of Equestria with Princess Luna. Who are you and why have you come?”
“I am Prince Zuko." the colt responded. "Son of Fire Lord Ozai and heir to the Fire Nation Throne! Bring me all your elderly and newcomers!”
Rainbow and Applejack are about to tackle him when Luna steps in between. “Don’t,” she said, “its best not to anger the Fire Nation.”
Soon the residents of Ponyville are bringing the old and any newcomers to Zuko. He then points to one of his guards. “You, check the barn.” Granny Smith is among the ones to be brought up.
“What in tarnation is going on here?” She asked.

The guard that went to the barn opens the door and sees only Big Mac, Cheerilee, and the foals. However, before he leaves, he sees a colt older than the students but younger than Zuko among them. He can tell he doesn't look like he's from Equestria and walks to him and removes his hood. Its Firebrand. He sees his mane and tail. He then begins to take him to Zuko.
“All right, quit shoving, I’m going.” He puts his hood back on before they leave.
After they leave, Sweetie Belle is the only one to speak, “Why would they take Firebrand?”
“Lets find out.” Apple Bloom answered from behind. Both Sweetie and Scootaloo turn around and see she's at the wall and moves a board out-of-the-way. “Come on.” She leaves and the other two follow.
“How are we gonna get to the town square?” Scootaloo asked Apple Bloom.
“I know a short cut.”

At the center of town, the guard brings Firebrand to Zuko. Twilight sees them, “Firebrand?” she said.
“They must want him for some reason.” Rainbow said.
They stop right in front of Zuko. “Your scaring these ponies.” Firebrand said. Zuko then takes off his hood and sees his mane.
“Who are you? What's your name?!” Zuko asked.
“I don’t need to tell you anything, hothead.” Fire' responded.
“Soldiers!” The soldiers then walk up to them, flamethrowers in hand (metaphorically speaking). “I’m taking you to my ship. If you don’t come, I’ll burn down this village, despite the fact Celestia and Luna are here.”
“I’ll go with you. Just don’t hurt anypony.” They than walk to the tank. Twilight almost follows them but stops when a soldier fires a flamethrower at them, causing all of the residents to duck for cover.

Back at the library, Twilight is looking out the window. “Get over it Twilight, those Fire Nation guys got what they wanted.” Spike said trying to comfort her.
“I know, but we should have done something.”
Applejack then walks in with Rarity. “Twilight, have ya seen Apple Bloom? We can’t find her, Sweetie Belle or Scootaloo anywhere.”
“No, I haven't seen them.” Twilight then realizes something. “Where were they last seen?”
“In the barn with Cheerilee and Big Mac.” Rarity said.
“Then I think I know where they are.”

On Zuko’s ship, the CMC are looking for Firebrand. “How did I get talked into this?” Sweetie Belle asked.
“Come on, I see the one who took Fire.’” Apple Bloom said as she points to Zuko who is accompanied by the old Earth pony from earlier.
“He’s in here, uncle.” Zuko said to him. He then opens the metal door and lets his uncle in first. Before he could close the door, the CMC sneak in and hide behind a drawer. They see Firebrand behind a table looking at the river.
“What do you want with me?” Firebrand asked.
“My nephew wants me to perform a little test on you.” There was a short pause before Firebrand said anything.
“What kind of test?”
“I assure you, it wont hurt. I’ve performed it hundreds of times. It only takes a few moments. And than your free to go, along with your little friends who sunk aboard.” He then points toward the drawer that the CMC are hiding behind. They then nervously walk out.
“How did you three get here?” Firebrand asked.
“We got on the tank and here we are.” Scootaloo answered.
Zuko then walks up to them, “Be glad I'm in a good mood.”
“If this is you in a good mood, I hate to see you in a bad mood.”
Zuko’s uncle then walks up to Firebrand. “Would you mind if I put a few things in front of you at the table? It will only take a moment.”
“That’s all you wan’t?”
“My name is Iroh, and you have my word.”

On a chariot, the main six, with Celestia and Luna are flying over the Everfree, looking for Zuko’s ship. “Where are they?!” Twilight said as she scans the hundreds of rivers in the forest.
“Over there!” Rainbow said as she points to a puff of black smoke, which is right above the deepest and deadliest river in Equestria.
“Guards, fly toward the smoke.” Celestia ordered.
“I’m coming Fire.’” Twilight thought to herself as they fly toward it.

Meanwhile on the ship, Iroh is performing his test. First he puts a lit candle in front of Firebrand. The flame on the candle seems to be drawn toward to Fire.’ Iroh then puts the candle out as he puts an empty jar in front of Fire.’ The air in the jar stirs and nearly breaks it. He then grabs a jar with an inert lighting bolt in it. “Where did you get that?” Scootaloo asked.
“You be surprised by what we find on the ocean.” Iroh said as he puts it in front of Fire.' The lighting inside begins to flash as it tries to escape. Then he gets a jug of water and pours it on the table. The water begins to condense to the center and forms a perfect circle. Zuko then wipes it up as Iroh grabs a small rock and puts it in front of Fire.’ The rock begins to move as the ovule shape stone begins to go vertical, small end going down. Fire,' Iroh, the CMC, and Zuko are stunned by what they see.
“You are my prisoner...” Zuko soon said, “Firebender. I’m taking you back to the Fire Nation.”
“What!?” Sweetie Belle yelled out.
“You said...” Firebrand began to say until he is interrupted by Iroh.
“I apologize. I should have explained further. If you fail the test, as all others did, you were free to leave. But, as it turns out, you are the first of only 5 in the entire world who could pass this test. It is truly an honor to be in your presence, Avatar of Fire.” Firebrand then looks down for a moment.
“Don’t even try to escape. This is a warship...!” Zuko yelled. Firebrand then jumps up and lands behind them. He grabs the CMC and runs for the door. “Stop! Theres no way you can...” Fire’ then closes the door and uses some fire to weld the door shut as Zuko said that. Sweetie then notices some guards. The guards see them and head for them. Firebrand then does some martial art techniques (specifically Northern Shaolin). Some fire then goes from some torches and hits the guards, sending them flying.
“How did you do that?”
“I have no idea, Scootaloo. It just came natural to me. Come on.” They leave just when Zuko bust down the door.
The four make it to the deck, with Zuko right behind. They then see the group flying right for them. “Big sis!” Both Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom said as Fire’ turns around to face Zuko and manages to deflect a fire blast. However, he’s pushed back to the ledge of the deck. He leans precariously over the side, unsteadily balancing himself, but manages to regain his balance only for Zuko to fire another blast at him. The blast seemingly knocks him out cold and he falls backward off the ship into the water where he slowly sinks.
“No! Firebrand!” A horrified Twilight said. She tries to go after him, but Celestia stops her.
“You can’t go after him, look.” Celestia said as giant crocodiles enter the water after Fire.’
“No!” Twilight quietly said as Fire’ sinks further underwater, the crocs slowly coming after him. “Fire,’ please, you need to get out,” Twilight said as, somehow, Fire’ hears her voice. “Fire,’ please, you need to get out,” suddenly, Fire’s eyes open, glowing a bright orange, along with his mane and hoofs, and he frowns angrily, which terrifies the crocs. He steadies himself in the water and begins swiveling around, a waterspout forming around him.
Above the river, Twilight begins to cry when ... “Guys, look!” Rainbow said as she points to an orange glow in some swirling water. Just then, Fire’ rockets up and erupts from the surface, riding a humongous spinning water vortex.
Zuko looks up at this in horror as Fire’ lands in front of the fillies, summoning the water behind him. His eyes, mane and hoofs still glowing, he brings his hoofs around behind his head. The water swirls around him, forming a protective circle, before spreading outward, knocking Zuko and several soldiers off their hoofs, sending them into the water. Twilight and the others on the chariot are leaning over the side, watching in shock as Fire’ nearly collapses to the ground as the glow disappears. “Did you see what he just did?!” A shocked Twilight said.
“That was awesome!” Rainbow said as they land on the ship. A weak Fire’ and the three fillies get on, but before they leave, Rarity sees a sword in its red leather sheath. It has a design like a Middle Eastern sword. The cross-guard is made of gold and has fire rubies incrusted into the ends. Rarity can't help but take the sword because of the gems and gold on it.
Zuko and some soldiers climb back to the deck and see that they are leaving. “Don’t move!” Zuko yelled, “You have nowhere to run!” She then follows the others and the fly off the ship and head to the forest.
“They've gone into the forest, well never find them in there. They also took Iroh’s fire sword.” A guard told Zuko as Iroh walks onto the deck. He then heads toward the ships prow and stares at the river.
“You found the Fire Avatar.” Iroh said as he tried to calm him.
“For a moment, I had my honor back.”
“Both yours and the five Avatars destinies are tide, Zuko. That you can be sure of.”

In the forest, it’s almost dusk so they decided to camp for the night. After they start a fire and set up some shelter, they huddle around the fireplace, when Rainbow notices Rarity admiring the sword she took. “Where did you get that?”
“I took it from the ship, I mean it has such beautiful craftsmanship. Just look at the blade.” Rarity being Rarity said.
Firebrand then angrily walks up to her and takes the sword. “You just took something from a Fire Nation ship out of beauty.” The fire rubies on the cross-guard begin to glow slightly. “Huh?” Fire’ then begins to move the sword the same way he would firebend. The fire in the pit begins to move with it. He then spins the sword around the fire in the pit goes to it and when he stops, the sword is on fire. “I’m keeping this.”
“Yes, it would do better for you then what I had in mind. Here’s the sheath that came with it.” Rarity then gives it to him. He puts out the fire on the sword and puts it up.