Amber woke up to a strange voice yelling, "HIMARI! HIMARI! WAKE UP!"

"Who?" Amber asked groggily, her sleep-blurred vision and aura sight telling her that the man yelling at her was a male firebender; one of Zuko's crew.

"YOU! WAKE UP!" He shouted urgently. Amber groaned and sat up in bed.

"Why?"

The soldier lowered his voice. "We're stopping at Captain Zhao's harbor."

Amber groaned again and became fully awake. "Not him."

"I know." The soldier muttered under his breath. He held his hand out to her in a friendly way, and with a jolt, she realized that he looked younger than her. She took it and pulled herself out of bed.

"I'm sorry about that, Himari." He apologized. "But Prince Zuko ordered me to do whatever it took to get you out of bed. Which definitely includes shouting."

"It's okay." Amber said sympathetically. "My sister use to do that all the time when we were kids. Oh, and what was your name?"

"Hideyoshi." He answered confidently.

"Oh. It's nice to meet you, Hideyoshi. Can I just call you Yoshi?"

"Feel free." The two stared into space for a second before Yoshi said, "So you're a waterbender? Everyone on board the ship is saying that you were the one that drove that spike into Prince Zuko's foot, but I don't think so. He pulled it out of his foot, and it was definitely metal."

Amber paled and smacked her forehead. "Why didn't he tell me that yesterday?"

"You were asleep. And that's not true, is it? It wasn't you?"
Amber thought for a moment and asked, "How old are you?"

"Fifteen. Why?"

Amber gaped. "Fifteen?! You're younger than Zuko! Why on earth are you here instead of school?!"

Yoshi hung his head. "My father is from the Fire Nation and my mother is from the Earth Kingdom. My mother always supported me in everything, while my father hated me and my... views of history. I was always questioning everything we learned in class, so the headmaster of my school was going to ship me off to 'reform school', but mother convinced him to punish me in a different way, so then I was dragged to the palace and thrown in with the Prince's crew. So that's why I'm here."

Amber got the first good look at him; he had shoulder length black hair and goldfish colored eyes that glittered with a continuous excitement. He had a long, slightly pointed noise that emphasized his high cheekbones. In summary, he looked as royal as Zuko. Probably more so.

Something about him looked so familiar... something she felt should be obvious to figure out...

"Hey! You ducked my question!" Yoshi protested, snapping her out of her thoughts. She sighed; she would have to answer honestly to him.

"It was me." She said, exhaling.

He cocked an eyebrow. "But you're a... waterbender."

Amber couldn't stop herself from smirking. "You're right, I am. You seem like a trustworthy person, so I'll tell you. Tell me, have you ever heard of a little thing called The Sacred Chance?"

Yoshi inhaled and shook his head.

"Okay," she began, "so The Sacred Chance says that five percent of all benders will be able to bend multiple elements. It says that out of that five percent, two fifths will be able to bend only two, two fifths will be able to bend only three, and the remaining one percent will be able to bend all four. One of those people is the Avatar. No one aside from the Avatar has ever been recorded as a Fifth-Chance bender."

"What are you saying?" Yoshi asked curiously.

"Congratulations. You just met the first one." Amber deadpanned.

Yoshi gasped. "So... you can bend water, earth, fire, and air? Subcategories included?"

"Well, minus blood, energy, and lightningbending. Those are my weaknesses. I can't do energybending; that's an Avatar thing. I don't bloodbend because it's just inhumane. And lightningbending... I'm way too attached to people. I mean, I might be able to, but I've never tried. Being a descendant of an Avatar doesn't hurt your chances."

"How do you act like this is no big deal? You have as much power as the Avatar; you could easily take his place and defeat the Firelord!" Yoshi looked slightly desperate and slightly fascinated.

Amber decided not to answer and instead lead him silently to the harbor outside.

Zhao was standing there, looking like a smug monkey. Zuko looked as irritated to be in Zhao's presence as she was, while the crew looked apprehensive- and Iroh was loyally standing by Zuko's side.

"Captain Zhao." Zuko spat in a tone of disgust.

"It's Commander now. And," Zhao bowed to Iroh, "General Iroh, great hero to our nation."

"Retired general." Iroh corrected.

"The Fire Lord's brother and son are welcome guests anytime. What brings you to my harbor?" Amber gritted her teeth at Zhao. Don't tell him, don't tell him!.....

"Our ship is being repaired." Amber groaned at Iroh and Zhao turned to look at her.

"That's quite a bit of damage." Zhao turned a scrutinizing eye to the ship's heavily damaged bow.

"Yes... you wouldn't believe what happened." Zuko gave Iroh a sideways glance. "Uncle! Tell Commander Zhao what happened."

Iroh's eyes went wide and he blinked. "Yes, I will do that. It was incredible." He leaned over to Zuko and whispered, "What... did we crash or something?"

Zuko looked around uncomfortably. "Uh, yes! Right into an Earth Kingdom ship!"

"Really?" Zhao asked, smirking. "You must regale me with all the thrilling details." He put his face up to Zuko's in an obvious challenge. "Join me for a drink?"

"Sorry, but we have to go." Silently, Amber agreed with him.

"Prince Zuko, show Commander Zhao your respect." He turned to Zhao. "We would be honored to join you. Do you have any ginseng tea? It's my favorite."

Zuko growled angrily and released a small spurt of fire from his fist, turing to follow Zhao and Iroh to the dock.

"What a slimeball." Amber muttered as they followed suit, legions of foul words she could use to describe Zhao parading around her brain.

"I couldn't agree more." Yoshi spat out. "He's such a-"
"Let's not tell the Commander what we think of him quite yet." Zuko growled through gritted teeth as he suddenly appeared behind them.

"Ahh!" Amber cried and fell over into the water. "Zuko! You scared me half to death!"

"At least he didn't scare you all the way to death." Yoshi cracked, smiling. Then, dropping to a nearly silent whisper, he mentioned, "And by the way, Himari, were you going to tell Prince Zuko about your... abilities?"

"I should." She replied, equally silent. She quickly waterbended her clothes dry.

"I see you two have become friendly." Zuko observed with a very slight smile.

"We have." Amber said, her eyes rich with indifference.
"And I see that you have less self control than Zhao."

"What are you talking about?" Zuko snarled. "I'm nothing like him! I could beat him in a fight!"

"Maybe." Amber said. "Right now, it's pretty hard to tell."
Yoshi gave her a warning look that she completely ignored. "If you want, I could teach you the proper way to firebend."

"How?" Zuko's voice suddenly lost all anger, replacing it with curiosity. "You're a waterbender."

"Some rules of waterbending apply to firebending." She explained. "Lightning redirection is a great example; it was invented using a waterbending technique."

"Lightning redirection isn't a thing." Zuko told her pompously. Geez, does this guy always feel the need to be right?

"Yes it is. Your uncle invented it." Zuko looked like he wanted to ask something, but he instead said, "We better get going. Commander Zhao is waiting for us."

"Yes, we shouldn't keep his Royal Highness, Fire Lord Zhao waiting, should we?" Amber asked mockingly. Yoshi laughed and Zuko smiled.

The three walked in irritation to where Zhao and Iroh were sitting. Iroh had a hot cup of tea in his hands, while Zhao had a goblet of what was probably wine in front of him on the table in between the two.

"Finally. What took you three so long?" Iroh asked Zuko.
"Zuko knocked me into the harbor." Amber deadpanned with a scowl.

"No, I didn't!" Zuko protested with a cry. "I just scared you! You did all the falling!"

"Whatever helps you sleep at night."

"Who is this, General Iroh?" Zhao asked with a cocked eyebrow.

"A guest, Commander." Zuko lied with a scowl.

"Really? Because last I checked, I was a prisoner." Amber surprised herself with her sudden remark. Zuko growled at her.

"Pretty." Zhao purred disgustingly, stepping forward and grabbing her chin. Amber snarled. "Tell me, Prince Zuko, where did you get this fine specimen? Perhaps the colonies?"

"No, he didn't get me from the colonies, you-" she felt herself say as Yoshi clapped his hands over her mouth. She licked his hand and he jumped back with a squeal.

"He got me from the Southern Water Tribe."

"The Southern Water Tribe?" Zhao asked, curling his lip into a malicious smirk. "One would think that such a beauty came from the Fire Nation."

"You disgust me." Amber growled under her breath.

"Don't you dare." Yoshi murmured, sensing her irritation.

"Please, Himari. Don't do it." Iroh pleaded with her, also sensing what might become a fight.

Zhao snorted. "Like a little urchin like her could beat me. Go back to the penguins, Himari. I'm sure that they would provide a good match for you."

Everyone else in the room froze. Amber glared at him with something akin to annoyance. Zhao remained smug.

Amber had the sense to bite her tongue this time.
"I'm sure that the same could be said likewise, Commander Zhao." She said mockingly, barely dipping her head in a bow. "And yes, I am sure that the penguins at the South Pole would be great matches for me in a penguin sledding game."

Zhao growled almost incomprehensibly and tightened his fist.

Amber turned around and began to walk back towards Yoshi when she heard a hissing sound. She whipped around angrily to see Zhao standing behind her, fire spurting out of his hands and flying towards her. She snarled in fury at Zhao and blocked it with Iroh's tea. The fire sputtered out.

"How dare you." She snarled quietly. "You have no right to-"

"My, my." Zhao chuckled darkly. "She has spirit. Be careful, Prince Zuko; your prize might escape your notice one day."

"Not on my watch." Zuko interrupted, giving Zhao a murderous glare.

"Yeah, I don't plan on escaping anytime soon." Amber agreed. Yoshi nodded protectively.

"And, Miss Himari, you might want to take into consideration that I did not attack you with malicious intent. I was merely testing your skills. As such, you should treat me with the respect I deserve." He narrowed his eyes and leaned inappropriately close to her face.

"I am." She spat under her breath.

Zhao heard but acted like he hadn't noticed, his tightened jaw the only evidence to his emotions.

"Come, General Iroh, Prince Zuko. Allow me to show you my troops."

🌀 💧 🗾 🔥

The quartet spent most of the day following Zhao, who couldn't seem to resist displaying his 'oh, so amazing' troops and everything magnificent he had ever achieved.

Sometime near sunset, they stopped in Zhao's tent to talk with him. Amber and Yoshi weren't excited about that concept and Zuko was back to looking furious.

"By the year's end, the Earth Kingdom capital will be under our control rule." Zhao gave his monkey smirk. Iroh was examining Zhao's large collection of weapons while Zuko sat in one of the two chairs in front of Zhao. Amber and Yoshi stood near the entrance.

"The Fire Lord will finally claim victory in this war." Zhao continued pompously.

"If my father thinks the rest of the world will follow him willingly, than he is a fool." Zuko shot back.

"Two years at sea have done little to temper your tongue." Zhao observed. "So, how is your search for the Avatar going?"

Iroh tipped over the weapon stand he had been previously examining. The commotion brought the conversation to a pause. The old man cringed at the mess he had made.

"My fault entirely." He said in embarrassment. He sheepishly back away. Zhao watched as he moved.

"We haven't found him yet." Zuko replied.

"Did you really expect to?" Zhao asked. "The Avatar died a hundred years ago, along with the rest of the airbenders."

Zuko averted his face quickly. Zhao stared at him eagerly.

"Unless you found some evidence that the Avatar is alive."

Zuko looked away. "No. Nothing."

"Prince Zuko," Zhao said, rising from his chair, "the Avatar is the only one who can stop the Fire Nation from winning this war. If you have an ounce," he leaned into Zuko's face, "of loyalty left, you'll tell me what you've found."

"I haven't found anything." Zuko said defiantly. "It's like you said. The Avatar probably died a long time ago. Come on, Uncle, we're going." He moved to exit the tent, but two soldiers crossed spears to block them. Another guard approached Zhao to deliver his report.

"Commander Zhao, we interrogated the crew as you instructed. They confirmed Prince Zuko had the Avatar in custody, but let him escape."

"Now, remind me," Zhao said as he walked behind Zuko, "how exactly was your ship damaged?"

Zuko looked down in defeat.

So the banished Prince told Zhao exactly the ship had been damaged and what had happened.

When he finished, Zhao crossed in front of the unhappy Zuko, who was guarded with two guards.

"So a twelve year old boy bested you and your firebenders? You're more pathetic than I thought."

Yoshi had to fight with all of his strength to keep Amber quiet.

"I underestimated him once, but it will not happen again."

"No, it won't, because you won't have a second chance."

"Commander Zhao," Zuko protested in alarm, "I've been hunting the Avatar for two years, and I..."

Zhao turned on him angrily, flames erupting from his fists. "And you failed. Capturing the Avatar is too important to leave in a teenager's hands. He's mine now."

Zuko launched himself at Zhao at the same time as Amber and Yoshi and the guards jumped to restrain them.

"Keep them here." Zhao ordered his guards.

Zuko knocked over a small table that had been sitting next to Iroh in frustration and it broke into pieces.

Iroh stared at the table for a moment before asking, "More tea please?"

🌀 💧 🗾 🔥

"My search party is ready." Zhao stated as he reentered the large tent. "Once I'm out to sea, my guards will escort you back to your ship and you'll be free to go."

"Why?" Zuko asked defiantly. "Are you worried I'm going to try and stop you?"

"You should be." Amber intersected.

Zhao laughed mockingly. "You? Stop me? Impossible."

Zuko stood up in defiance. "Don't underestimate me, Zhao. I will capture the Avatar before you."

Iroh stood up as well. "Prince Zuko, that's enough!"

"You can't compete with me. I have hundreds of warships under my command, and you... you're just a banished prince. No home. No allies. Your own father doesn't even want you."

"You're wrong." Zuko growled. "Once I deliver the Avatar to my father, he will welcome me home with honor and restore my rightful place to the throne."

"If your father really wanted you," Zhao said cuttingly, "he'd have let you return by now, Avatar or no Avatar, but in his eyes, you are a failure and a disgrace to the Fire Nation."

"You're wrong."

"You have the scar to prove it."

"Maybe you'd like one to match!" Zuko's chest heaved with anger as he launched himself from the chair at Zhao, bringing his face within inches of the Commander's.

"Is that a challenge?"

"An agni kai. At sunset."

Zhao straightened his armor. "It's a shame your father won't be here to watch me humiliate you. I guess your uncle will have to do." With that, the commander turned and walked out of the tent.

"Prince Zuko, have you forgotten what happened last time you duelled a master?" Iroh questioned in concern.

"I will never forget."

At sunset, Amber, Yoshi, Zuko, Iroh, and the rest of the guards showed up at the arena.

"Remember your firebending basics, Prince Zuko. They will be your greatest weapons."

Zuko stood up. "I refuse to let him win."

Amber clapped loudly, startling Yoshi. "Go Zuko! You can do it! MAKE SURE YOU WIN! KICK THE MONKEYFISH'S BUTT!"

Iroh chuckled in amusement as Yoshi joined in on the calls.

Zuko's shoulder wrap fell to the ground. Every eye turned to Zhao, who stepped forward, his shoulder wrap falling as well.

"This will be over quickly." Zhao said with a smirk.

"YA DARN RIGHT IT WILL!" Amber screamed. "Because by the end of this, you'll have had your butt kicked!"

A gong sounded.

Both men faced each other and assumed firebending stances. Prince Zuko fired the first shot which passed harmlessly to Zhao's left. He fired again; this time it passed without effect to Zhao's right. Zuko fired several more, the last of which Zhao blocked, satisfaction evident on his face. Frustrated and losing control of his breath, Zuko moved towards his opponent, unleashing more fire from both his hands and feet. Zhao dodged or blocked them all. Zhao then crouched forward and shot flame at a point on the ground close in front of him. Iroh looked at Zuko anxiously.

"Basics, Zuko!" Iroh urged.

Zhao fired many volleys of flame, alternating between his fists. Zuko blocked each, but was slowly forced back. On the last volley Zhao used both hands, knocking Zuko over and sending him skidding backwards in the dirt. Zhao took a flying jump at him. Zhao landed as Zuko tried to get up, but he wasn't fast enough. Zhao fired right at him. Zuko rolled out of the way just in time, and as he is got up swept Zhao's feet out from under him.

Zuko landed on his feet and gave a slight smile. He advanced towards Zhao, using his feet to produce small waves of flame that rushed toward his opponent. Zhao was caught off balance and wobbles slowly backward.

Amber looked over to Iroh, fists clenched in an expression of hope, a smile beginning to spread over his face. She looked back to Zuko, who finally layed Zhao out flat on the ground with a blast of fire. Zuko rushed up to him, prepared to deal the final blow. Amber could practically see the difficulty of the decision on Zuko's face.

"Do it!" Zhao hissed.

Zuko released a blast that Amber followed closely with her eyes. He stood erect, dropping his fighting stance. Amber's eyes went to a smoking hole in the ground, and then her vision expanded to show Zhao, clearly very much unharmed, next to the hole.

"That's it?" Zhao sneered. "Your father raised a coward."

"Next time you get in my way, I promise I won't hold back." Zuko promised.

Zuko turned his back and began to walk away. Zhao got up and, with a howl of anger, unleashed a whip of flame at Zuko. Amber couldn't keep her eyes off of the flame as it rushed toward Zuko's back. Her view switched back to Zhao and his outstretched foot, wreathed in the fire it had just released. The flame was extinguished, however, as a hand closed over the foot. Iroh had moved between them to stop the dishonorable attack. They remained frozen for a moment before Iroh hurled Zhao back into the dirt with little effort. Zuko rushed to avenge the insult, but was stopped by his uncle. Amber, however, momentarily had the sense to stay put. She would have her chance later.

"No, Prince Zuko. Do not taint your victory." He turned to face Zhao. "So this is how the great Commander Zhao acts in defeat. Disgraceful. Even in exile, my nephew is more honorable than you." Zuko looked at him in surprise. "Thanks again for the tea. It was delicious."

Iroh moved to leave and Zuko followed close behind, Amber and Yoshi following suit. With subdued anger, Zhao watched them exit the gate of the arena. Outside, Zuko and Iroh spoke privately.

"Did you really mean that, Uncle?" Zuko asked quietly.

"Of course," the old man said slyly. "I told you ginseng tea was my favorite." With that, the crew began to move towards the ship.

Amber stifled a laugh. Yoshi smiled and wrapped his arm around her.

Surprised by the gesture, Amber gave a small sigh of sadness. She had never known her father, as he had abandoned them when they were children.

"Yoshi." The guard stopped on the deck. "What is it?"
"Can we be friends?" Amber asked sweetly.
Yoshi chuckled. "Of course we can be friends, Himari. I wouldn't want you to think I don't want to be your friend. I really do." The two walked in tired silence to Amber's room. When they reached the door, Yoshi yawned and told her, "Good night, Himari."

"'Night, Yoshi." She stretched her arms and entered the room. She closed the door and settled tiredly onto her bed.

Yoshi was sweet. For a fifteen year old who should be in the middle of puberty, he was surprisingly even tempered and friendly.

As such, her last thought before she fell asleep was, Why does he seem so familiar?.....