The Elements of Nature, Book 1

by The Avenger

Chapter 4, The Avatar Returns

Back at Ponyville, Fire,’ Twilight, Celestia, Luna, Rarity, Sweetie Belle, Rainbow, Scootaloo, Applejack, Apple Bloom, Pinkie and Fluttershy are in the library discussing what happened. “That Iroh called you the Avatar of Fire?” Twilight ask.
“He did. He also said that there are 4 others who can pass the test he gave me.” Fire' answered.
“So what does that mean?” Sweetie Belle asked.
“I don’t know, all I know is that the Fire Nation will be looking for me. I need to leave both Ponyville and Equestria, and soon.” Fire' said, causing Twilight to feel betrayed.
“I have an idea.” Celestia said, lifting Twilights spirit as she knows Celestia will say something to keep Fire’ here a little longer. “Me and Luna are going to Pegasus City in the South Pole to gain an ally. Perhaps you, Firebrand, along with Twilight and her friends, will like to join us.”
Fire’ hesitates to answer, knowing that wherever he goes, Fire Nation soldiers will likely follow. He looks at Twilight and sees her hopeful face, but also sees the sadness in her eyes if he refuses. “All right, I’ll go.” Fire’ finally said, causing Twilight to smile.
“Eff'n yer gwine, big sis, than I’m gwine to.” Apple Bloom firmly said.
“Same here.” Sweetie Belle said as Scootaloo makes puppy-dog eyes to Rainbow.
“Fine.” Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Rarity reluctantly said.

At Canterlot, the main 6, accompanied by the Cutie Mark Crusaders and Firebrand, who is carrying his new sword on his back, are waiting for Celestia and Luna so they can head south. Beginning to get inpatient, Rainbow finally snaps. “Where are they?”
“Were right here, Rainbow.” They turn around and see that they're standing right behind them with some unicorn guards who are going to come with them.
“Uh, sorry.”
“No harm done.” Celestia said as they get onto a chariot, being flayed by the strongest and fastest members of the Wonderbolts, including Spitfire.
“How long until we reach the South Pole, Celestia?” Twilight asked after they take off.
“A few days, if were lucky Twilight. Equestria is in the northern hemisphere so it will take some time to reach the South Pole.”

On the open ocean, a Fire Nation Commander with a sand brown coat and a black mane and tail along with black body armor with a sword for a cutie mark named Zhao sees a Fire Nation ship is five miles away. He holds up a telescope and, at the bow, he sees Prince Zuko, who he recognizes. “The banished prince.” He then turns to his solders. “Lets offer him lunch.”

A bit later, Zuko and his uncle are onboard the larger ship of Zhao, at least twice the size of a Ursa Major. They are in the dinning hall when Zhao decides to make an announcement. “I wanted to thank the great General Iroh and young Prince Zuko for dinning with us.” All the soldiers in the dinning hall (which are only Earth ponies) raise there glasses up to toast. Zhao continues, “As you know, the Fire Lord has banished his son, the Prince, and renounced his love for him, and will not let him return to the throne unless he finds at least one of the Avatars, which most say do not exist. The Fire Lord believes his son is too soft, and by doing this, he will become strong and become a worthy heir to the throne.”
Zuko then nearly charges at Zhao before his uncle stops him. “Zuko, don’t.” Iroh quietly said, loud enough for only Zuko to hear.
“I commend the Fire Lord’s discipline. For example, it seems I need to remind Prince Zuko that, during his banishment, he is an enemy of the Fire Nation and is not allowed to were the Fire Nation uniform. But we will let him were it today, like a foal wearing a costume on the Americans Halloween or the Equestrians Nightmare Night.”
After a short pause, Zuko burst up and walks to Zhao. “One day, my father will take me back and you will bow before me.” Zuko said to his ear before storming off for his ship, Iroh close behind.

Back on his ship, Zuko gazes at his family picture (his mother, his father, his sister and himself) before he puts it away and begins his training hoof-to-hoof combat with four well-trained soldiers. Iroh observes this from the deck above, drinking tea.

A couple of days later, the chariot the group were on needed to have some repairs, so Spitfire and her Wonderbolts had to land in Geo Firma. It landed in a field surrounded by trees but they need to find a way to the South Pole soon. “Me and Luna will go with Spitfire to find us some supplies.” Celestia said to her recently coronation princess, Twilight Sparkle.
“Okay.” She said, finally glade to have a chance to talk to Fire’ after a long flight.

A few minutes after Celestia, Luna and Spitfire left, Twilight goes up to Fire,’ who is having an apple. “What do you think of Sweet Apple Acres famous apples?” She asked.
“It’s really good.” Fire’ said as he finishes. “Uh ... Twilight, how much does the Fire Nation control?”
“A lot of villages in Geo Firma like around here. They haven’t been able to conquer big cities, like the Ba Sing Se, but Celestia is sure they’re making plans. That's why she wants to visit the Pegasi of the South.” Twilight answered.
“So...” Rapidfire, a member of the Wonderbolts, said, “Are you the Avatar of Fire, Firebrand?” Suddenly, a young Pegasus colt with an earth green coat and brown mane and tail runs for them and hides behind Rainbow.
“What is this?” Rainbow asked, when they see some Fire Nation soldiers come running after him.
“Stay hidden.” Twilight told Fire’ as he put his hood on as the soldiers arrive.
“That colt is being arrested.” The leader said.
“For what?” Rainbow asked.
“He was flicking tiny stones at us from behind a tree. It really hurt." The brown Fire Nation earth pony said, clearly annoyed. "Unicorns and Pegasi are forbidden to even say anything to a Fire Nation pony in this village.”
“Leave him alone,” Fluttershy began.
“Your not taking him anywhere.” Rainbow finished.
Applejack soon steeps forward, “No one is taking anypony away!” She said as Rainbow lands next to her as Twilight begins to use her magic on the soldiers.
“She's using magic!” A solider said.
“She’s an Alicorn!” Another nearly yelled as Twilight uses the spell, which is supposed to paralyze enemies, but instead of hitting the Fire Nation soldiers, it hits Rainbow and Applejack, freezing them.
“Twilight!” They both said, much to the soldiers amusement.

Later at the village, which is populated by the three most common types of ponies, Twilight, Fire,' Cadence, Shining, Rainbow, Scootaloo, Rarity, Sweetie Belle, and the Pegasus colt are taken to a holding area. “Move.” A guard said.
Applejack, Apple Bloom and Pinkie ask to visit their friends and are allowed in. The colt then runs for his unicorn father, who has a pale green coat and a black mane and tail. “Dad.” He said as the two huge. “This is my father.”
“Hello.” He said.
“The Fire Nation’s plan, suppress all other magic except their own, including Pegasus magic.” Twilight said, well aware of the Fire Nations cruelty.
Firebrand then walks up to the two. “How did this happen to your village?”
“The Fire Nation sent soldiers. We fought them and defeated them. Then they sent there machines, huge machines made of a metal that magic can’t effect. There was nothing we could do. Those who are earth ponies, did not practice magic, or are part of the weather team were allowed to live in peace, if we were imprisoned.”
Celestia, Luna and Spitfire then show up. “Were here for your bails.” Luna said.
“Come, we need to leave.” Celestia said to them.
"Why?" Rainbow asked the Sun Princess. "We need to-"
"The Fire Nation will just simply use their flamethrowers on us," Celestia interrupted. "And besides, we have more important business. I don't want to seem cruel, but we should leave before something worse happens. We need to leave, now," but after a moment, Firebrand begins to walk out to the center of the prison yard. “What’s he doing?” Celestia quietly said.
“Pegasi, Unicorns!" Fire' called out, getting everypony’s attention. "Why are you acting this way, you’re both are powerful and amazing ponies! You don’t need to live like this, both magic and the sky are all around you. The ground and the sky are extensions of who you are!”
After a moment, Fire’ continued. “If a powerful pony, like the Avatar, were to return, would that mean anything to you?”
Some ponies, a Unicorn and two Pegasi steeped forward, “The Avatar is a myth. Even if he was real and here, he would protect us.” The Unicorn said.
“My name is Firebrand...” He then removes his hood, showing his mane. “And I’m the Avatar of Fire." Some of the soldiers then walk to him a little as Fire' takes on a fighting stance. "It's time for you to stop doing this, Fire Nation!”
“The Fire Avatar would have to be a Firebender." One of the soldiers said. "Are you a Firebender colt?” He along with some other guards then laugh at him.
Twilight then runs up and pushes him back. “Leave him alone!”
“Why you miserably little Alicorn b-” The solider began to say as he runs for Twilight, but Firebrand bends some fire from a pot to send him flying. He then moves that fire around him, showing he's a Firebender.
“How is he doing that?” A solider asked.
“I don’t want to hurt anypony.” Fire' said.
“All benders should be dead.” A solider said out of pure shock. “Kill him! Soldiers, positions!” A soldier bellowed as they take their positions.
The others then run to aid Twilight and Fire’ except for the Wonderbolts, Celestia and Luna, who are shocked at what they're seeing. Rarity then realizes that they are outnumbered and begins to panic. “Okay! Everypony can help us now!” The colt from earlier throws a pebble that hits a solider in the back of the head. He then grabs a flamethrower and fires at the colt. But the father makes a light green shield appear and protects him. The colt soon hugs his father as other pegasi and unicorns make a stand, all of them with a renew sense of hope.
“Don’t be afraid!” Sweetie Belle yelled as another soldier use his flamethrower and the two shot at the father & son, but a larger shield appears, made up of 6 colors, that 3 mares and 3 stallion unicorns conjure up. A Pegasus then throws a head size rock and it hits one of the flamethrower soldiers. The other fires, but a unicorn makes a shield just in time. Firebrand then takes out the other flamethrower and takes his sword back. He then uses his firebending to throw back some soldiers. Realizing that they are out match, the Fire Nation soldiers run.
“Just leave them!”
“Fall back!”
“Go! He’s a bender!”
Firebrand begins to use fire to literally throw the Fire Nation out-of-town. Later, the village residents take them to a statue of a Pegasus mare in the center of town. She has robs on and is holding two fans. "Who is this lovely mare?" Rarity asked. "She's positively gorgeous!"
“This was you, Fire,’ before the Avatar spirit divided, when you were born a Pegasus, two lifetimes ago.” The village elder told Fire,’ shocking Rarity that the mare she found lovely was Fire' two lifetimes ago. “You came to our village when only Unicorns lived here. Avatar Kyoshi loved games, and hated snakes.”
“I do, too. I mean, I still do.” Fire' said while smiling.
Later, the group are talking about what they should next. “A lot of villages in this part of Geo Firma are occupied by the Fire Nation, like this one was.” Luna told them that, “They pray on the weakest towns and villages. We should go visit some of these towns, Firebrand.”
“Good idea, but like the prophecy and the old stallion said, I’m only part of the Avatar. We need to find the other 4.”
“Okay. But where could they be, they could be somewhere anywhere in the world.” Rainbow said to him. Fire' then notices the old stallion and walks up to him.
“Say, village elder!”
“Yes?” The elder said.
“Is there some place I can go to, some place that has a spiritual connection?” Fire’ asked.
“There is.” He then points toward some mountains further north. “On those mountains lies the Southern Air Temple, a place where ancient Unicorns once practice the art of Airbending.”
“We can stop at some of the villages along the way. We can change the balance of The War.” Spitfire told them.
“Lets do it.” Fire’ said as the village begins to celebrate.

The team of Firebrand, the main 6, the Cutie Mark Crusaders, Celestia, Luna and the Wonderbolts, set out on the journey to the South. Along the way they visit the villages, where Firebrand announces the Avatar has returned. In villages that were still occupied by Fire Nation soldiers, Firebrand uses his firebending to defeat them and liberate the village from their grip.

Meanwhile, Zuko and two soldiers, disguised as travelers of Geo Firma, visit the first village Fire’ liberated. They also enter the former prison camp and look around.

Later, in the Fire Nation, the Fire Lord is walking to the balcony where Zhao is waiting. The Fire Lord is around Luna’s hight and is an earth pony with a black coat and very dark red mane and tail. He is also wearing dark red armor. “Sire, I have good news. As you know, I have conducted a raid on the Grate Library in the Himalayas, which most said didn't exist.”
“Get on with it.” Fire Lord Ozai said, slightly annoyed.
“I have found scrolls in the library. We are deciphering them. But I believe they contain information on where the Ocean and Moon Sprites live in this world. With this information, we could bring down Pegasus City at the South Pole, we could show the world the true strength of the Fire Nation.”
“I am pleased.” After a moment, Ozai asks him something else. “Well, Commander Zhao, are the rumors and what the Fire Sages say true or not?”
“Our spies have discovered somepony calming to be the Avatar of Fire. They describe him as just a young Unicorn stallion. We should set a trap for this pony. We have many Geo Firman ponies under our control. I can leave soldiers in certain locations.”
“And my son?” Ozai asked.
“He had his chance. He missed it.”
“Lets hope, for your sake, my son doesn't find this pony first and he turns out to be the Avatar of Fire. He would return as a hero and, for all purposes, your superior.”
“Well, I suppose it’s a race, then.” Zhao responded.

“I'm sick of taking his orders! I'm tired of chasing his Avatars!” A member of Zuko’s crew named Jee yelled out around a fire in the boiler room of Zuko’s ship, talking to two other crew members. “I mean, who does Zuko think he is?
“Do you really want to know?” A familiar voice said. The three turn around and see Iroh walking down the stairs.
“General Iroh. We were just-”
“It's okay.” Iroh interrupted. “May I join you?”
“Of course, sir.” Jee said as he gets a seat for Iroh, who sits down.
“Try to understand.” Iroh began. “My nephew is a complicated young stallion. He has been through much.”

Fourteen and a half years earlier, in the Fire Nation royal palace, a young Zuko walks up to the curtains to get in the war room, but the guards stop him. “Let me in!” Zuko demanded.
“Prince Zuko, what's wrong?” Iroh asked his nephew.
“I want to go into the war chamber but the guard won't let me pass!”
“You're not missing anything, trust me. These meetings are dreadfully boring.”
“If I'm going to rule this nation one day, don't you think I need to start learning as much as I can?”
“Very well. But you must promise not to speak. These old folks are a bit sensitive, you know?”
“Thank you, Uncle.” Zuko said as they walk into the war room and take their sets as the meeting starts.
“The Geo Firma defenses are concentrated here.” One of the generals said, showing the place on the map. “A dangerous battalion of their strongest and fiercest warriors. So I am recommending the forty-first division.”
“But the forty-first is entirely new recruits.” An elderly solider pointed out. “How do you expect them to defeat a powerful Geo Firman battalion?”
“I don't.” The general coldly said. “They'll be used as a distraction while we mount an attack from the rear. What better to use as bait than fresh meat?”
At this, Zuko abruptly stands up. “You can't sacrifice an entire division like that! Those soldiers love and defend our nation! How can you betray them?” Everyone in the war room is now staring at Zuko.

Back in the present, Iroh is telling the three crew members what happened, and the consequences. “Zuko was right, you see, but it was not his place to speak out. And there were dire consequences. After Zuko's outburst in the meeting, the Fire Lord became very angry with him. He said the challenge against the general was an act of complete disrespect! And there was only one way to resolve this.”
“Agni Kai. The fire duel.” Jee said.
“That's right. Zuko looked upon the old general he had insulted and declared that he was not afraid. But Zuko misunderstood. When he turned to face his opponent, he was surprised to see it was not the general. Zuko had spoken out against the general's plan, but by doing so in the Fire Lord's war room, it was the Fire Lord whom he had disrespected. Zuko would have to duel his own father. When Prince Zuko saw that it was his father who had come to duel him, he begged for mercy.”

When Zuko sees his father he was supposed to fight, he quickly gets down to his knees and begs. “Please, Father. I only had the Fire Nation's best interest at heart. I'm sorry I spoke out of turn!”
“You will fight for your honor.” Ozai said as he moves closer to Zuko, with a small flamethrower.
“I meant you no disrespect. I am your loyal son!”
“Rise and fight, Prince Zuko!”
“I won't fight you.” Zuko pleaded as he looks up to his father, crying.
“You will learn respect, and suffering will be your teacher.” Ozai said as he aims his flamethrower to Zuko’s left eye.

“I looked away, as my brother burned Zuko.” Iroh said to Jee and the other crew members.
“I always thought that Prince Zuko was in a training accident.” Jee said.
“It was no accident. After the duel, the Fire Lord said that by refusing to fight, Zuko had shown shameful weakness. As punishment, he was banished and sent to capture one of the Avatars. Only then could he return with his honor.”
“So that's why he's so obsessed.” Jee said as he begins to understand. “Capturing an Avatar is the only chance he has of things returning to normal.”
“Things will never return to normal. But the important thing is that the Avatars gives Zuko hope.”