(1) Augmentum | Zuko

Chapter Five

At a Fire Nation naval yard, Zuko's damaged ship has docked for repairs following the attack on the ship by both Aang and Rana. Enough damage that they need to repair it before they head back out at sea and get back to finding the Avatar and his 'saviour'. Zuko and Iroh walk side by side as they leave the ship and walk into the yard. Zuko appears to have things on his mind. Of course, he does. His ship is damaged, he lost the Avatar, a child, and was beaten in battle by an unknown fire-bender with a tail. Zuko is sure he knows who she is but he can't think, can't place her. He is sure he would remember someone like that. One of the infamous and extinct vastaya. He thought they were all gone. Just another myth. Just like the Avatar. It can't be a coincidence that they both appear at the same time. He lets out a breath and shakes his head before he turns to his uncle.

"Uncle, I want the repairs made as quickly as possible. I don't want to stay too long and risk losing his trail" Zuko explains.

"You mean the Avatar?" Iroh asks, Zuko turns on his uncle angrily.

"Don't mention his name on these docks!" Zuko scolds. "Once word gets out that he's alive every fire-bender will be out looking for him and I don't want anyone getting in the way"

"Getting in the way of what, Prince Zuko?" Zuko and Iroh turn to face Zhao as he approaches them, still speaking. Zhao's hands are clasped behind his back authoritatively.

"Captain Zhao" Zuko greets coldly and with disdain.

"It's Commander now" Zhao corrects him before turning to Iroh. "And General Iroh" He bows to Iroh. "Great hero of our nation"

"Retired general" Iroh points out.

"The Fire Lord's brother and son are welcome guests any time," Zhao tells them with faux politeness and accommodation. "What brings you to my harbour?" Zhao asks them.

"Our ship is being repaired" Iroh answers as he gestures at the heavily damaged bow of Zuko's ship beside them. Zhao raises an eyebrow at the amount of damage.

"That's quite a bit of damage" Zhao points out slyly, watching for Zuko's reaction.

"Yes... you wouldn't believe what happened" Zuko offers and gives his uncle a sideways glance. Realising he doesn't have to explain anything, he immediately passes the buck. "Uncle! Tell Commander Zhao what happened" Iroh's eyes go wide with alarm and surprise at the burden Zuko has just placed on him.

"Yes, I will do that. It was incredible" Iroh leans over and whispers to Zuko. "What... did we crash or something?" Zuko appears uncomfortable with Iroh calling on him.

"Uh, yes!" Zuko agrees. "Right into an Earth Kingdom ship"

"Really?" Zhao counters, disbelieving his cover story. "You must regale me with all the thrilling details" He smiles and puts his face right up to Zuko's in an obvious challenge. "Join me for a drink?"

"Sorry, but we have to go" Zuko turns to leave, but Iroh places a hand on his shoulder and stops him.

"Prince Zuko, show Commander Zhao your respect" Iroh scolds him before he turns to Zhao. "We would be honoured to join you. Do you have any ginseng tea? It's my favourite" Zuko growls in frustration and releases fire from his fists angrily as he turns to follow Zhao and Iroh down the dock.

.........

On Appa's back, as he flies through the sky, Aang and Katara sit upfront on his neck, Sokka in the passenger saddle with Rana and her pokemon. She didn't want to ride with them, she would have been happier flying up in the clouds with Noivern. Aang was insistent that they all travel together. As a group. She leans back, her legs stretched out for Squirtle, Vulpix, and Rockruff to rest against. Despite knowing how to use the crystal ball now hanging around her neck, she can't bring herself to put them in it. It feels like locking them away. Rana pulls the vastaya book from her bag and opens it up in her lap. She might as well get some reading done. Read up on herself and what she is and what she can do. Maybe there is a clue as to how to learn the rest of the elements she's meant to know to help Aang. Sokka's stomach rumbles loudly, Rana raises an eyebrow at him and he clutches his stomach, blushing a little.

"Hey, stomach, be quiet, all right?" Sokka scolds and pulls a small food bag closer to him. "I'll try to find us some food" He searches through the food bag before he dumps it out onto his glove. Only a few crumbs come out. "Hey! Who ate all my blubbered seal jerky?"

"Oh, that was food?" Aang asks. "I used it to start the campfire last night. Sorry"

"You WHAT?" Sokka snaps annoyed. "Awww, no wonder the flames smelled so good" He then looks at Rana. "You didn't think to bend us a fire?" He asks her, she shrugs.

"Now you want me to help using fire-bending" She comments dryly. "Thought I was scary evil Fire Nation girl?" She asks him, he gives her a look and then huffs, turning away and crossing his arms over his chest. She smirks and looks down at her book.

"What do they do?" Sokka asks, Rana frowns and then lifts her eyes. He is staring at Squirtle and then licks his lips.

"You're not eating my pokemon" She scolds him. "And they're kind of benders" Sokka raises an eyebrow. Squirtle waddles towards him and then blows a stream of water straight into his face. Sokka stares down at him incredulously. Aang laughs as Katara fights her own.

"I don't think he likes the idea of you eating him either" Katara points out before she chuckles when Squirtle nods firmly in agreement.

"So unfair" Sokka complains curling around his stomach. "So hungry" Rana pulls her bag into her lap and digs around.

"I have some komodo sausages" She offers. "They're meant for Vulpix and Rockruff, and I don't have many left....but they probably won't mind you having one" She pulls out a small pouch and holds it out towards Sokka. He stares at the pouch and then at Vulpix and Rockruff.

"You don't have many left?" Sokka asks.

"Well, kind of ran away without thinking, so I only have what I had on me" Rana explains and shrugs, looking down at her pokemon. Sokka softens a little.

"Then keep it" He mumbles, she looks at him and frowns. "You heard me" He argues when she opens her mouth to ask him to repeat himself. "Please don't make me say it again" Rana smiles and nods, pulling the food pouch back.

A/N - NOT SAYING IT WILL HAPPEN, BUT FOR CURIOSITY SAKE, IF THE OTHERS WOULD BE PAIRED WITH POKEMON, WHO DO YOU SEE WITH EACH??

- If I did give any of the others a pokemon, it would probably be Zuko. (I like either Combusken or Umbreon for him; but any fire pokemon would work too)