A small black dot moved slowly in the blue sea. Moving in a constant velocity while leaving a blackish smoke trail. Actually, the dot was not just any floating object, but rather a sleek black fire nation battle ship that released noxious fumes from its top.
The atmosphere within the ship was heavy, filled with tension and almost tangible amounts of emotions. And within a room, more decorated and built with attention when compared to another, were two males.
One, a pot bellied old man with a somewhat long pointy beard and a receded hair line, stood next to a bed, where the other, a teenager with sharp features and a shaven head with a ponytail at the back laid, seemingly unconscious, covered in simple clothes. One could say the boy was handsome, if not for a large burn mark on his face, that made him appear fierce and horrible.
The old man took a ceramic pot that was in the table before poutpring himself a small cup of fragrant tea, then took a deep sip before releasing a heavy sigh.
"Zuko" the Iroh spoke softly, gazing at his nephew with worry .
"I'm sorry i couldn't protect you" He began to speak, almost to himself rather than the person he adressed in a low voice. "You fought with such fire in your heart , and spared your opponent carrying the honour befitting a Prince. However I was too lax" he shook his head a little, expressing the bitter feelings held behind. " To attack someone when their back is turned, especially in a sacred agni kai, I never expected Zhao to have no honour "
The candle flames that lit the room burned brighter for a moment before Iroh calmed down once more.
"Take a good rest Zuko" the old man placed his hand on Zuko's shoulder before leaving the room quietly. The door closed with a click and Zuko opened his eyes.
"Damn" the exiled fire nation Prince held his head in his hands as he propped himself up." Did someone get the number of the truck that ran me over? "
Then suddenly, as if his eyes flew wide, as if he remembered something important.
"Did that old man just call me Zuko?"
He jumped out of the rough bed, not caring about his current state before limping towards the mirror. Sure enough, the familiar scarred face of Zuko, the son of dragon, from Avatar the last airbender appeared in the polished bronze sheet. Then looking down through the thin sheet that covered his lower area, he muttered "son of a dragon, indeed. "
By now it would be obvious to anyone, that the man who decided in the body of Zuko was not an inhabitant of that world. He was someone from earth, an avid fan of the story. And to say he was ecstatic would be an underestimation.
However he was puzzled as well. As a person well and truly familiar with the story, he was suprised to learn that the Zuko, he currently possesed had lost to Zhao in a suprise attack, in the midst of an Agni kai. According to his memory, Iroh had stopped the sneak attack. And if not for the throbbing burn on his back, he would not have believed it either.
Zuko was undoubtedly the greatest firebender of the era of avatar Aang, surpassing both his father and the Princess of blue flame and lightning within a short period of time. Both the latter being firebenders that nearly killed the avatar. However, the fact that a second rate villain like general Zhao managing to land a blow on him blew Zuko's mind.
"That f%&ker" Zuko hissed with pain as he gingerly touched the large burn on his back. The bastard's fire blast had caught his chest the moment he had twisted around, catching him right in his left ribs, leaving a plate sized burn mark.
Thankfully, Zhao was just as competent in fire bending as a normal fire soldier was, lacking in every aspect. And so, even though the fire had injured Zuko, it wasn't at a crippling level. At most, it was just a bit more serious than a deep skin burn. Something that would come to heal in couple of months leaving behind a nasty scar.
"You rat bastard!" Zuko cursed under his breath as he struggled to deal with the pain that became stronger with the second. "Just you wait, when I get out, I'm gonna slow cook you alive"
What ever the medicine they had given him, was clearly starting to wear off, Zuko thought while resisting the urge to jump into a tub of cool water. While the original Zuko could have bore the pain, a normal person from the twenty first century, who had lived his life in full of relative luxury could not bear such pains.
Zuko gritted his teeth as he walked to his bed, grabbing the powdered herbs next to the bed stand. He had regained his consciousness way back, while he was being treated, so he knew what he was supposed to do. Tilting the palm sized porcelain bowl, he emptied the powder into his mouth, and swallowed it with a swig of jasmine tea from the kettle Iroh had brought in.
The medicine effects showed swiftly, as Zuko felt his body grow numb while the pain decreased. He could feel his coordination go askew, his body tumbling as it tried its best to make its way onto the bed. As he felt his body completely grow numb, a stray thought came to his drugged mind.
"This is soooooo like reincarnating, but in reverse, he he eh" he giggled giddily as he recalled the sensations he felt after he got transmigated. "Maybe I'm reincarnating! Where's truck kun? That rat bastard. I wanna be a rat?... ...Yawwwn" Zuko paused the drunken rattling to yawn sleepily while he tried to move his body into a comfortable position.
"Yaeh, yeah... I wanna be rat jinchuriki, the Pirate Kin.... SNOREEEEE....hi Sharly"
With a final burst of sleep addled, meaningless sentences, Zuko fell asleep, next to his bed.