Chapter 21: Kyoshi Island – The Real Plan
The forest around them was still, the air thick with the weight of Victor's revelations. Kyoshi stood tall, her glowing eyes fixed on him, her expression a mix of curiosity and suspicion. The silence stretched for a moment before she finally spoke, her voice low and commanding.
"You mentioned the origins of the Avatar," she said, her tone sharp. "What do you know about them? And why do you think the Avatar can help you?"
Victor took a deep breath, his mind racing as he tried to find the right words. "One of the two most powerful spirits to have ever existed is one of the reasons I think the Avatar might be able to help," he began, his voice steady. "If it wasn't for one of these spirits, the world wouldn't have survived this long."
Kyoshi's eyes narrowed, her expression thoughtful. "You mean Raava and Vaatu," she said, her voice low.
Victor nodded. "Of course. Raava and Vaatu. The spirits of light and darkness. They've been at the center of the world's balance since the beginning. Whoever brought me here—whether it's one of them or some other powerful spirit—might be busy in the Spirit World. I need you to look for them here."
Kyoshi crossed her arms, her expression unreadable. "You want me to search the Spirit World for a disturbance? For a hint of what might have brought you here?"
"Yes," Victor said simply. "You're the Avatar. You're connected to the Spirit World in a way I can't even begin to understand. If anyone can find a disturbance or a clue, it's you."
Kyoshi studied him for a long moment, her glowing eyes piercing through him. Finally, she nodded. "I can look into it," she said, her voice firm. "But I can't guarantee any results. The Spirit World is vast and unpredictable. Even I don't fully understand it."
Victor nodded, his expression serious. "I understand. But any information you can find would be helpful."
Kyoshi's gaze remained fixed on him, her expression thoughtful. "Is that all?" she asked after a few moments. "Do you have any other requests, Victor Krane?"
Victor smiled faintly, his expression softening. "You know," he said, his tone light but sincere, "you're quite attractive. You're a really tall woman, but I could see myself drawn to you."
Kyoshi's eyes widened slightly, and for a moment, she seemed taken aback. A faint blush crept across her cheeks, though she quickly masked it with a stern expression. "I have been dead for centuries, foreigner," she said, her voice firm but with a hint of amusement. "Such physical things have long since been lost to me."
Victor studied her for a moment, his expression thoughtful. He wanted to ask her to remove the paint and see her face without it, but he thought better of it. Now wasn't the time. "There's a chance that could change," he said, his tone light but with a hint of seriousness. "But for now, I'm done with everything I needed to know."
Kyoshi's expression softened slightly, and she nodded. "Very well," she said, her voice calm. She raised her hands, and a blurry force of energy shot out toward him, enveloping him in a swirling vortex of light and color.
Before he returned to the physical world, Victor called out to her, his voice echoing through the forest. "Look for Koh the Face Stealer! He might know something!!"
***
Victor found himself back in the body of Prince Zuko, standing near the towering wooden statue of Kyoshi. The transition from the Spirit World to the physical realm was jarring, and he stumbled slightly, his vision blurring for a moment before clearing. He looked up and around, his golden eyes scanning the scene. Akari stood nearby, her arms crossed and her expression a mix of concern and suspicion.
"Are you two alright?" she asked, her voice sharp but laced with genuine worry.
Zuko didn't answer immediately. Instead, he took a moment to steady himself, brushing off the remnants of the spiritual energy that still clung to him. He looked around the village, noting that not much had changed since he had entered the Spirit World. The villagers were still gathered, their eyes wide with curiosity and fear. At the far end, to the entrance of the village, he could see his crew standing with the Kyoshi warriors, their postures tense but controlled. It seemed that not much time had passed during his conversation with Kyoshi and Aang.
His gaze shifted to Aang, who was slowly waking up, his gray eyes blinking as he tried to orient himself. The chains that had bound him were now shattered, lying in pieces on the ground. Zuko cursed under his breath. *Stupid Kyoshi,* he thought, annoyed that she had broken the chains. It was going to make things more complicated.
"Are you alright, Aang?" Zuko asked, his voice calm but firm as he knelt down to help the young Avatar to his feet.
Aang looked at him, his expression still dazed. "Are you really… Victorcrane?" he asked, his voice hesitant.
Zuko's jaw tightened, and he corrected him with an annoyed tone. "Just Victor. Krane is my family name. And never call me that—any of it. When we're here, my name is only Zuko or Prince Zuko. You're the only one who knows my true identity," he whispered, his voice low so only Aang could hear.
Aang nodded slowly, his expression serious. "Got it," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Zuko helped him stand, his grip firm but not unkind. He turned to Akari, who was still watching them with a wary expression. "Are you two alright?" she asked again, her tone more insistent this time.
Zuko nodded. "I'm fine," he said, his voice steady. "But the Avatar might need something to drink."
"Of course," Akari said, her tone softening slightly. She gestured to one of the villagers, who quickly ran off to fetch some fresh water.
Zuko turned back to Aang, his voice low as he reminded him of their plan. "Act along with it," he whispered. "We have to make this believable. I can't just take you again while you are not bound in chains, while you're free."
Aang nodded, his expression resolute. He accepted the water from the villager Akari had sent, taking a few sips to steady himself. Then, with a determined look, he turned to Zuko. "If you say so," he whispered.
Without warning, Aang bent a massive burst of wind at Zuko, the force of it sending him flying through the air. Zuko crashed through the wall of a nearby house, the wooden planks splintering as he landed in a heap of rubble. The villagers gasped, their eyes wide with shock.
Akari turned to her warriors, her voice sharp and commanding. "Now!!!" she shouted, her tone leaving no room for hesitation.
The Kyoshi warriors sprang into action, their fans at the ready as they moved to take on the Fire Nation soldiers. The tension in the air was palpable, the villagers and warriors alike watching the scene unfold with bated breath.
Zuko lay in the rubble of the wooden wall, groaning in pain as he slowly pushed himself up. His body ached from the impact, but a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. 'Everything is going according to plan,' he thought, his mind racing.
Aang trusted him now, just as he had hoped. Kyoshi, too, seemed to believe him, which meant he wouldn't have to worry about the wrath of the Avatar State being used against him—at least not for a while. He had revealed a lot of information to gain their trust, but it was worth the risk. The lie about a powerful spirit pulling the strings behind the scenes had been the perfect cover. It was believable enough to explain the changes in the world since his arrival, and it gave him the leverage he needed to keep Aang and Kyoshi on his side. Most importantly, the power of the Avatar being not used against him while he was not ready.
'Although,' he thought as he stood up, wincing at the pain in his ribs, 'I wish Aang had gone a bit easier with that attack.'
Zuko brushed the dust off his uniform, his golden eyes scanning the scene. The villagers were still watching him, their expressions a mix of fear and awe. The Kyoshi warriors were keeping a close eye on his crew, their fans at the ready. Everything was falling into place.
'Whoever brought me here,' Zuko thought, his mind turning to the mysterious force he had blamed for his arrival, 'I'll deal with them when it matters. If it's a spirit, then I've done enough to get information from Kyoshi. For now, the plan is working.'
The pain he felt now was worth it. The trust he had gained from Aang and Kyoshi was invaluable. He had played his cards right, and now he was one step closer to achieving his goals.
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