The morning followed as the sun began to shine brightly on to the Kyoshi islands, driving away any evidence of the storm that night. And as light streamed through the windows into the resident houses, a boy with dishevelled long hair raised his hand to cover the golden rays that tried to blind him. Zuko squinted as he opened his eyes, and seeing the sun had risen to a considerable height, he stood up, straightening his crossed legs and twisting his body to warm up his sore muscles.
Last night had been..... a disaster. No question about that. While he had refrained from using chi, he had been confident in defeating four girls with metal fans. He had reviewed the fight the entire night. Statistically speaking, he was at an advantage. He was stronger, faster, more durable and had more stamina. Not to mention, his attacks were powerful and accurate. Yet he was completely manhandled throughout the fight.
When ever he tried to attack one, the others would target him from his blindspots. They attacked his lower body and used their fans to restrain the movements of his upper body. When he advanced a step, they would retreat with him, staying just out of reach. And if they actually managed to grab a good hold on one of his limbs, they would hug it and twist it in different ways to immobilise him. Using soft to overcome hard. That was the principle. Though what they implied by soft remained questionable. Those indecent postures they used to immobilise him managed to rouse his chi so much, he had an actual nosebleed. Blood had flowed like water out of a water fountain. And then, he had collapsed from fatigue.
Thankfully, the villagers weren't too unkind. They only took away his dao swords and placed him in a detention chamber. They were even kind enough to provide him with more than enough food and water so that he could recover.
Zuko patted his butt as he stood up, making dust cloud the small room. The fight had shown him a valuable lesson. When restricted and surrounded, in a close quarter situation, the best method to fight was not by using heavy blows or focused attacks with weapons, but to fight defensively with the shortest ranged weapon in hand. And when fighting defensive fighter's like Kyoshi warriors, what's better than simple unarmed combat?
The versatility, maneuverability and restraint offered in unarmed combat was perfect for absolute close quarter combat. Zuko ate all the food outside within a matter of seconds before he began to think of a martial art. And he found one within seconds. Using soft to overcome hard, a defensive martial art that does not lack offence, an art that followed and controlled the flow of power.
Zuko fell into a dogeza, and began to offer his gratitude to a martial arts master who may or may not exist in a far away or close , different universe.
"I ,Zuko kneel here today to ask for guidance.. and blessings from master Bang. No matter where you are, this disciple will offer his gratitude for showing me the way. Please watch over me. "
Yanna and Suki who were keeping guard outside the hut however didn't appear fazed. If anything, they even expressed the slightest pity at the loud man locked up in the small hut.
"Poor guy" Yanna was the first to speak." Chief said they found a broken boat washed up this morning. The man mustve gone crazy from being lost in the sea."
"Yeah, still... to think that he's the fire prince. The guy's head must've gotten fried somewhere on the way."
"More like water logged. "
"he's one lucky idiot, I'll tell you that. If Unagi was there, we might not even have found his pieces."
Suki said as she reminded Yanna about the troublesome sea serpent that lived in the waters around the island. That thing was truly a menace.
"How long do you think we'll have to keep the guy locked up?"
"It's up to the villiage chief" Suki replied to Yanna's question. "But I dont think he's end up staying for more than three days."
Unfortunately for Zuko, the time he spent in the detention house was not three days, but two weeks. Blame the city lord for his paranoia. By the time Zuko actually stepped out of the chamber, he was nearing the point of insanity.
"Where are my swords?"
The first thing Zuko did after his release, was to ask for his swords. They may be old, but they were the damn best swords in the fire nation. Only the best of the best for royalty.
"You're a captive- "
"No, wait Lana. Let me handle this." Suki interrupted. " Since your majesty is still feeling unwell according to our physician, we as the loyal vassels have taken it upon our selves to keep the swords safe."
"Okay, that was a joke.... how am I supposed to know Kyoshi warriors sense of humour was duller than a butter knife." Zuko replied. "Just, give me back my swords. Those things cost a fortune."
"Which is exactly why we won't be giving them back. Not until we know that you are leaving, or we are certain of your character. Dao swords of that quality with gold decorations? You are either a noble of the fire nation, or someone who robbed one. So no. We won't have you flaunting those away in our island. "
"It's over there isn't it." Zuko changed the subject, pointing at the chief's house making the two warriors behind Zuko whip out their fans, while Zuki looked at him warily.
Zuko had ot once again hold back his laughter. While he may have been defeated by their fighting style, the metal
Fan was still a useless part of their battle attire. Seriously, what were they meant to do? Fan the enemies? Sure, it helps sometimes when locking the movements, but Zuko understood by experience, that they could obtain the same result unarmed.
"Okay, okay.. how about this then" swallowing back his laughter, Zuko proposed, " I heard the townsfolk complaining about a water serpent called umami?"
"The Unagi"
"Right! That one. How about I deal with it, and you give me back my swords and some supplies? "
Suki thought for a few seconds before replying, "Fine, I can tell you now, with absolute confidence that you are going to fail, spectacularly... but! I still want to see what you can do... what is your real name?"
"It's still Zuko."
"Right, so show me what you can do Zuko."
Suki walked infront leading him towards the coast with zukk and the remaining two kyoshi warriors following behind.
"Is she always like that? " zuko couldn't help but question, making Yanna look at him with a face that said it all.
"If you mean sadistic and sarcastic at the same time, then yeah."
"Wow, I'm guessing she doesn't have a boyfriend. "
"Thats a big part of the problem, she got someone she likes, and he had to go away for some time."
'Wow, looks like Sokka already rizzed up the girl.'
They quickly arrived at the beach, and waited. Minutes trickled by, making Zuko impatient,
"So where's big bad sna-"
'Whoooshh'
Zuko was interrupted by the sound of a giant serpent, matching the size of a train breach the surface of the water with a massive elephant koi in its Jaws.
"'Gulp'! Well, that's pretty big. "
Suki, hearing the comment turned around, "So, what do you think? I take it that you are all ready to slay the beast?"
However, instead of the expected fear, Zuko's face morphed into one of feral excitement.
"Oh absolutely. Woman, get me my swords."