So, 700+ followers on FFN and 9k+ hits on ao3.

Holy. Schist.

I'm actually at a loss of words apart from the two words I said right above.

Well, since I aint got much to say and my tongue is practically tied,  let's move on to Chapter 16 of FoD. Hope you guys enjoy it!

"I know what I need to do."

The stout elderly man with grey-beard merely hummed in response to show that he had heard his nephew speak and was all ears. Evening was approaching and Iroh wanted to be sure that they did not miss out on any other things that they will take to the Upper Ring as they complete their move by tomorrow and the grand opening of his tea shop the day after.

"I'm going to find the Avatar's bison."

Iroh sighed. They just had this conversation yesterday! He opened his mouth, ready to chide the stubborn teen once again. "Prince Zuko –"

"I'm going to return it to him," Zuko half-interrupted the man and half-explained his plan.

Of all the things he expected the young Prince to say, that was definitely at the bottom of Iroh's list. There's a list? He had prepared himself in case Zuko wanted to get the bison for himself to lure the Avatar, which will definitely open a whole new set of problems from 'where should the bison be held?' to 'do sky bison drink tea?'.

"Oh?" was the only response that the former general could come up with. Well, maybe his nephew wouldn't come up with half-cooked plans like the North Pole anymore.

Hopefully.

A small sensation of satisfaction washed over Zuko and his lips tugged up just slightly as he watched the dumbfounded look on his uncle's face. Absentmindedly he started scratching the back of his neck.

"I mean, I had the whole afternoon to think about it, and I realized I have a lot to make up for," he said, and Iroh noticed that the teen started to fidget slightly out of nervousness and his eyes were looking at the ground. "And maybe returning the bison won't be enough. It's probably not, but I want to," a pause as he searched for the right word. "I don't know... try?" He lifted his head to look at his uncle. "Maybe you want to help out?"

"No."

Amber eyes widened. "What?!" Zuko didn't sound angry, nor challenged. He sounded... confused. Worried, even. Realizing that, Iroh placed a hand on his nephew's shoulder, to prevent the boy from possibly losing his head.

"Listen to me, Prince Zuko," the former general's voice was calmer than he remembered. "I've watched you grow since you could barely crawl," a small, fond smile filled with pride and nostalgia formed on his face as he recalled the many times he watched a baby Zuko tried to crawl. "And now you have grown enough that you are now able to choose your own path."

Zuko was quick to protest. "But you've been with me the past three years –"

"To guide you and keep you from straying from your path."

Iroh watched uncertainty filled Zuko's eyes as the young firebender deflate slightly and his gaze dropped back to the ground. "But... What if the path I choose is the wrong one?"

"Zuko, ask yourself. What does your heart want?"

The silence that took over the room was deafening as Iroh waited for Zuko's answer, the gears in the boy's mind visibly turning for the grey-bearded man to see as he pondered on the question.

"To..." a hesitant pause, "to make things right"

"And right the things you will," There was a ghost of a smile on Iroh's lips. "Sure, any path you choose is bound to be riddled with obstacles. You are bound to make mistakes, to question yourself –"

"That's a real confidence booster, Uncle," Zuko muttered under his breath half-heartedly. "Real ray of sunshine right there."

"But it is of utmost importance you do not lose sight of 'why you continue to walk down the path you chose when you stood at the crossroads of your destiny'," Iroh continued pointedly ignoring his nephew's rising sarcasm, which was definitely from spending time around their resident sassy demigod, regardless of how hard the teen tried to avoid interacting with Percy in the past. The smile on his lips grew wider as he caught sight of something in the corner of his view. "And maybe like your friend said, you can live life to the fullest."

"'Friend'?" Zuko straightened at that. "You mean... Percy?" his voice was filled with disbelieve as it may have entered a higher octave at the mention of the man's name (not that he'll admit it). "But we fought and I tried to –"

"All friends are bound to fight, Prince Zuko," another reassuring hand was placed on Zuko's other shoulder, interrupting the young boy's ramblings. "That is because everyone is different in some way. Whether the both of you can see past that difference will determine if the friendship lasts."

"But the things he said –"

"The man is bluntly honest. It's in his nature to speak his mind. And perhaps draw trouble to him. I've seen him get into so much trouble since we met," Iroh's not wrong. He lost count of the number of people who looked offended or angry at some remark that Percy had said. Even one of the movers had looked like he wanted to throw Percy from the third storey earlier in the day. "It is up to you whether you want to forgive him."

"But will he forgive me? I did try to – I almost –" killed him. Remove his head from his body. "the whole day we haven't spoken..."

The two haven't, really. Not since Zuko woke up late in the morning and had that conversation and eye-opening story of his ancestry with his uncle. Percy only spoke with Iroh. The only times the demigod spoke with the young firebender – if one or two words, or grunts, were counted as talking – was when he helped carry some of the stuff during their move. Other than that, communication was kept at a minimum.

It was like the man was leaving Zuko alone. Or worse, outright avoiding him.

Actually, Zuko couldn't tell which is worse.

Iroh responded to the teen's doubts with a hearty laugh, which baffled Zuko. He was already very confused.

"What are you two? 'Drama Queens'?" His uncle asked, and before the exiled-Prince could retort or protest or even come up with any form of a reply, Zuko felt Iroh squeeze his grips on his shoulders, which promptly shut him up. "It is in the nature of men to fight. But if you two are truly friends, the fight will only make your bond stronger."

"How do you know it will?"

Another squeeze and a chuckle came from Iroh.

"Oh, I don't," Zuko glared at his uncle upon hearing that. The stout man ignored the look, which lacked all the venom and anger, but instead was filled with all the incredulity the boy could muster at the moment, choosing to continue speaking instead. "That is for you to find out. In fact..."

He trailed off, tilting his head to the side with a soft smile on his face as he pointed at the door behind Zuko. The teen followed his uncle's prompting and turned around to see a familiar-looking tall man with tousled jet-black leaning against the doorframe. A nudge and a reassuring smile from Iroh later, Zuko found himself walking hesitantly towards the demigod.

For some reason, the young firebender was reminded of the few times he waited for the gradings of his firebending performances by his firebending masters when he was younger. The expressionless face that Percy wore made it difficult for Zuko to get a read on the man's thoughts, and he felt more nervous than before. Hesitantly he stopped in front of Percy, and his mind raked for a proper way to start... apologizing?

"Look," he started, ignoring the tiny yet annoying voice at the back of his mind cackling at him for being great at conversations, "about last time. I'm sorry about –"

"Oh, di Immortales, just get over here."

Quicker than Zuko could process the words he heard and before he could even ask 'what?!', he was pulled forward and found himself trapped in some sort of headlock. Percy started grinding his free knuckle onto the top of Zuko's head, effectively giving him a noogie as the teen struggled to wrangle himself free.

Eventually, the son of Poseidon released Zuko off his stronghold, and the teen quickly straightened himself and started rubbing his head while glaring at the taller man. It lacked any heat, and green eyes watched as amber eyes switched from annoyance to shock then to bewilderment upon seeing the lopsided smile on Percy's face.

"Wait!" Zuko exclaimed, his voice conveying just as much confusion that was shown in his eyes – his whole face, really. "You forgive me? Just like that?"

Percy started ruffling Zuko's hair again, much to the latter's chagrin. "Dumbass, did you really think I'll hold a grudge over something like that? Do I look like a son of Hades to you?"

Somehow, the only intelligent response that Zuko could come up with was an unintelligent 'uh..." which made Percy chuckle.

"As a matter of fact," the smile dropped and the man suddenly looked serious, maybe a little sheepish too. "I should be the one apologizing. I said some very hurtful things to you. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said those things."

Of all the things Zuko expected, he did not expect that. He thought Percy would not forgive him so easily, and would make him work to regain the fragile trust they had. He did not expect Percy to be the one apologizing instead.

"Err... yeah..." the teen stammered out before he added an 'okay', though it sounded like a question more than an answer.

"You okay?" A black eyebrow raised curiously at Zuko's awkwardness. "You look like you heard the Sirens sing and saw your deepest darkest desire but don't know how to act on it?"

"I... uh... you're for-forgiven... I-I guess," another set of stammering that sounded more like a question as Zuko's mind suddenly drifted to a certain girl he had not met since his banishment. He felt heat rushing to his cheeks, and Percy's knowing smirk did not help make matters any easier. "And I-I don't know wh-what you're talking about!"

The amused 'Mmhmm' that Percy gave was proof enough that the demigod did not buy into Zuko's words. "We gotta work on your human interaction." The young firebender was considering the option of punching the tall man just to wipe that smug look off his face. "Are all Princes so... emotionless and robotic?"

"What does that even mean?" Zuko's face twisted in confusion. Throttling is getting really tempting now...

"Doesn't matter," Percy waved a hand dismissively to punctuate his point, and Zuko really wanted to throttle the demigod at that moment. His thoughts were cut off when sea-green eyes glinted as Percy looked at him again. "A little harpy told me you're looking for the Avatar's bison. You wouldn't mind if I tag along to keep you from getting your butt whooped?"

"I handled myself quite well these past few years," Zuko found himself glaring indignantly at Percy, though he was certain Iroh would contradict his statement. Maybe running over the demigod with an ostrich-horse carriage sounds like a better idea now. "My butt hasn't been... whooped, so to speak."

"Bleurgh!" Percy made a face of disgust and started waving his arms in front in an exaggerated manner. "Dude! TMI! I did not need to know that!"

Another phrase that Zuko was unfamiliar with. "What are you talking about?"

Seeing the boy's genuine confusion, Percy chuckled and moved to wipe a tear off his eye that Zuko was certain wasn't even there. "Right, teenagers. You're a dam cinnamon roll, you know that. And to think you look like you could kill anyone," Zuko wanted to protest that he does not look like a killer when the tall man straightened himself. "We're getting off tangent anyway. So, ready to be a 'hero'? Do you know where to start?"

The young firebender didn't even bother fighting off the slight upward tugging on his lips as an idea started forming in his mind.

He was sure it was going to be a good one.

oOo

"That's a bad idea," Aang grumbled under his breath, staring deadpanned at Sokka for coming up with such a ludicrous plan. The Avatar did not like the idea at all.

Right after Team Avatar left the warehouse where they met Old Sweepy the janitor, Aang had agreed with the rest of Team Avatar to the idea of heading off to Whaletail Island to (hopefully) get Appa back. Despite the idea of a long travel south, the team found solace in the fact that they would be flying back to Ba Sing Se on the Aang's long lost sky bison. Jet tagged along with them, and the quintet was about to board a monorail to exit the Earth Kingdom capital when Smellerbee and Longshot ran into them. A few confusing moments involving Smellerbee questioning Jet's escape from the Dai Li's arrest (Sokka would had laughed at his sister's face when she heard the revelation if he could), Jet outright denying his 'former' friend's statement and Toph being unable to detect any hints of a lie with her walking lie detection ability, Sokka concluded that one of them was probably brainwashed into thinking they were telling the truth.

Given the fact that Jet had been arrested by the Dai Li, it was easy to figure out who was the one being manipulated. Catching and tying up Jet – who knew having two veteran Freedom Fighters helping out would come in so handy? – and finding a safe hideout was also easy. Katara figured out the Dai Li's actual plan to distract Team Avatar and run them out of town. Aang had been less than happy when he realized he was right about everything not adding up.

So there's a chance that Appa is still in the city. Probably where the Dai Li took Jet.

The airbender certainly didn't need to say 'I told you so' to Katara. He is not that childish to resort to that.

That doesn't mean he would rein in his show of annoyance when Sokka – of all people – would come up with an idea that involves Katara kissing Jet, just to try and jog the older teen's memories.

Maybe his best friend was teasing his sister, but still.

Okay, maybe Aang's jealous. And maybe probably means definitely. That doesn't mean he's going to throw a hissy fit or storm out of the building they were hiding in. No, he was brought up differently, so he will act differently and not let emotions take control. He would just make his point clear that he disagreed with the terrible idea.

Rationally.

The Water Tribesman, feeling uneasy being under the scrutiny of cold grey eyes, immediately whirled his head around and started looking outside the window. It was night, and Sokka shifted uncomfortably at the fact that they were still in the Lower Ring.

Maintaining his focus on the matter at hand, which is to jog Jet's memories of his captivity in the Dai Li, Sokka's eyes roamed everywhere in the room except for the spot a rather unhappy-looking young monk was standing. Blue eyes settled on the bed next to him when another idea popped up in his head.

"I've got it!" He exclaimed as he opened the mattress and plucked a straw from within. Before anyone could raise any questions, the Water Tribesman poked said straw into Jet's mouth, hoping that the trademark look of the former leader of the Freedom Fighters would help the older teen to remember.

"I don't think it's working," Jet supplied doubtfully, before spitting out the straw.

Well, that goes out the window.

"Try to think of something from your past that triggers your emotions," Toph suggested.

"The Fire Nation!" Smellerbee exclaimed. "Remember what they did to your family!"

"Close your eyes. Picture it."

Six pairs of eyes watched intendedly as Jet followed Katara's instructions. Silence descended the room and the air suddenly felt a little heavy for everyone's liking, but they kept their eyes on the bushy-haired boy whose eyebrows were scrunched together in concentration.

Brown eyes snapped wide open as Jet jolted forward, his shoulders slouched tiredly. Sokka noticed that the former Freedom Fighter was panting heavily and the beads of sweat forming on his face.

"No," Jet said as he tried catching his breath, sounding more defeated and pained than Sokka had ever heard from the boy who once led a group of young rebels against the Fire Nation. "It's too painful."

A possible solution came to her mind, and Katara stepped forward. "Maybe this will help." Standing behind the still hunched-forward Jet, the girl opened the lid to the waterskin hanging at her side, and bent the water out of it. In a fluid motion, the liquid wrapped around both her hands, forming a thin layer of transparent skin as she placed her hands around his head.

Everyone watched silently the water around Katara's hand glow brightly, illuminating the room as she attempted to use her healing to clear Jet's mind. The bushy-haired boy, to his credit, did not struggle as the water worked its magic. It wasn't long before his eyes widened. It wasn't in pain, but in realization, as he seemingly pieced the broken puzzle together.

"They took me to a headquarters under the water," he said, before hastily adding. "Like a lake!"

Sokka's blue eyes widened, having heard of a lake recently. From a spooky, overfriendly tour guide.

"Wait!" He called, garnering the attention of every teenager in the room. "Remember what Joo Dee said? She said she went on vacation to Lake Laogai!"

"That's it!" Jet bolted right shot up from his seat so abruptly he drew out a surprised yelp from Katara. "Lake Laogai!"

oOo

A glove made of rock clenched into a fist, mimicking its master's movement as it soared through the air intending to knock out the figure who clearly should not be in the base.

The figure was gone before the earthen fist could make contact, reappearing right in front of the man in dark green robes who watched with a slack jaw as his rock glove slammed into the wall at the end of the corridor. Catching a glint in the corner of his vision, the man was unable to react to it quickly enough as a bronze light arced towards his midsection.

Only for it to phase past his body entirely.

"Wha –"

"Made you look," the tall figure muttered. The Dai Li agent lifted his head in time to see unnatural green eyes glinting, and the lower half of his face (he was certain the intruder was male having observed the pose) covered by a black cloth that matched the rest of his outfit.

The agent was thought he heard the figure spoke with a hint of glee, but was unable to dwell into it any further when he felt a blunt force strike the back of his head. His vision turned black immediately.

Watching the agent crumple to the ground, the figure raised a lax arm towards the shorter figure standing behind the unconscious agent, his hand clenched into a fist. The individual moved his head – which was covered by a blue mask that looked like it belong to a stage play – to stare at the outstretched fist for a few moments before sighing as he returned the gesture.

Sea-green eyes glinted with glee at the fist bump as the duo walked down the corridors of the secret base. "That was easy."

Despite the blue mask of the 'Blue Spirit' covering his partner's face, Percy was certain he saw amber eyes roll in exasperation.

When the duo set out to find the Avatar's sky bison, the plan was simple: find and interrogate one of the shady men in dark green uniforms – or as Percy recalled, the Dai Li.

Catching one was easy. The agent who was patrolling the Lower Ring quickly bit the bait to chase two mysterious shadows that were running around the streets of the city in the middle of the night, only to be cornered into an alleyway (though it was probably because the agent was agitated after being called 'skinny').

Interrogating the agent, even more so. The captured agent was quick to reveal the exact location that the Dai Li held a giant, white furry beast. Aang's sky bison, no doubt. He even brought them to the entrance of the secret headquarters, located underneath a lake in the Agrarian Zone called Lake Laogai. Compliance was easy to obtain when sharp blades are placed close to a person's neck. Who knew?

They quickly knocked the agent out before he could raise any alarms, and infiltrated the Dai Li base. To Percy, the place felt too cliché for a villain's lair. Ominous dim lights illuminated the place and too many corridors that felt a bit like a knockoff Labyrinth. Turns out the Earth Kingdom is as obsessed with the colour green as the Fire Nation is with did face some resistance in the form of several agents trying to remove the intrusion, though those were quickly taken care of with their teamwork. Percy did question the lack of security. Given the size of the place, he expected more agents patrolling the corridors.

Unless they were too confident that no one could find their place...

"So," the demigod was pulled out of his mullings when the wearer of the Blue Spirit (though it looked nothing like a spirit to Percy) mask spoke, "what do you think I should say?"

Percy tilted his head slightly. "A 'thank you' would suffice," he replied amusedly.

"No, no. I mean yeah thanks I think for... you know, helping me?" the Blue Spirit figure quickly corrected himself while he awkwardly stumbled out his gratitude, and it sounded more like a question than a statement. Not that Percy minded. "But that's not what I meant."

The son of Poseidon raised an eyebrow quizzically. "If this is you asking me out on a date, I'll have you know I doubt I'm your type."

"What?" Amber eyes underneath the blue mask widened upon understanding Percy's insinuation, and green eyes watched in further amusement as the shorter figure almost tripped on his own two feet. "No!"

"I mean, I still dunno what Nico saw in me –"

"That's not what I –"

"And in case you forgot," Percy interjected, not letting the Blue Spirit any chance to explain. "I'm taken. Almost six years now. Ten if you count the time since I've fallen for her, well five if you're counting literally falling –"

"Percy –"

Again, the shorter figure's attempt to get a word in was ignored. "Besides, you'd be underage by New York standards. Not that I know what your standard is for adulthood. Hol' up! How old are you again? Fifteen?"

Deciding that it's pointless reminding Percy that he's sixteen, the Blue Spirit tried again. "Percy –"

"Also, I'm pretty sure Annabeth wouldn't like the idea of sharing. She once said I was, and I quote: 'Limited Edition'. Though if memory serves me right she said that when she was questioning her life choices. Not that she makes mistakes. It's the thought that counts, though"

"Oh for the love of..." the Blue Spirit grumbled and tore the mask off his face to reveal a very irritated Zuko, though Percy could see a myriad of other emotions conflicting on his face. It was mainly a mix of bashfulness, frustration, and discomfort. The discomfort was definitely from Percy dropping the bomb about his love life in the middle of a mission. "I'm asking what I'm supposed to say to the Avatar?"

This time the tall demigod really stopped in his tracks, his eyes wide as saucers. "You wanna ask Aang out? Is that why you were chasing him all around the world? If it is then that is an interesting way to show your interest in someone."

Zuko couldn't help it. He slapped a palm on his forehead, internally groaning at the supposed adult standing in front of him. For the umpteenth time, he questioned his decision of asking Percy to tag along in this 'mission'.

How is this guy the adult between the two of us?

Unaware of the question of his maturity, Percy stifled a laugh at Zuko's reaction. He really enjoyed riling the teenager up whenever he could. And now that he was less grouchy, it was getting funnier for the demigod. Amber eyes glared flaming daggers at him upon hearing the choked snigger, causing the demigod to outright cackle at the young firebender's expense.

"Okay, okay. I'll stop laughing." He didn't, and if looks could burn, Percy would be nothing but a pile of ashes by now. "You could just start with a greeting. It's called courtesy."

Zuko nodded slowly in acknowledgement, dropping his glare as he began walking again.

"I know that look," Percy comment offhandedly upon seeing the scrunched up look on the teenager's face. Despite the mask covering his mouth, Zuko could hear the smile threatening to form on the demigod's lips. "That's your thinking face. Try not to hurt yourself too much, yea?"

"Oh, shut up," came the quick retort, then the former Prince looked up. "What do you think of 'Hello, Zuko here'?"

Silence loomed over the duo as they continued walking, and as they turned a corner into another corridor Zuko thought he said something that offended the man. His mind raced as he searched for any word that he said that could have upset his black-haired companion. Then he heard the stifled laughing.

"No. Just, no," Percy said in between laughs. "Okay, it's cute from a third-person perspective. Really shows your dorkiness." Zuko didn't know if he should feel insulted or flattered at that. "But no."

Before Zuko could come up with a reply, they stopped in front of a large concrete door. Recognising the number on the slab like the one their captive agent revealed, Zuko placed a hand on the handle, sliding the door open easily. Percy gave an impressed whistle.

Dam, it's big. What was that joke about size again...

Inside the cell was a giant beast with horns and messy, dirty white fur. The sky bison. Its black beady eyes trained on the duo who walked in, and it started growling upon seeing the figure with a red scar on his face.

"Expecting someone else?" Zuko asked, ignoring the beast's show of teeth.

"Dude," Percy called out, causing the former prince to turn around in confusion. "Cliché villain much?"

"I'm not a villain."

"You sounded like one."

"I did not."

"Did too."

Choosing not to get into a childish argument with the 'adult' in the room, Zuko rolled his amber eyes and walked towards the sky bison while ignoring the indignant 'hey!' from the demigod.

The young firebender felt a strong grip on his arm, and he almost unsheathed his swords as he spun around. Luckily he didn't, for he saw the grip had come from Percy.

"Are ya dumb? Or are ya dumb? It looks very unhappy to see you. Unless you call that smiling."

Zuko just stared blankly at the man, unsure how to even answer when there's only one option in a supposedly two-option question. But he couldn't argue with Percy, however, when he turned back to look at the sky bison, he realized the Avatar's pet was still baring its huge pearly white teeth as it continued to growling in hostility in Zuko's direction.

No doubt recognising him as the one who tried to capture the Avatar on multiple occasions.

The teen turned back to the man standing next to him with the intentions of asking for any ideas, only to stop himself when he saw a look of ... anticipation? on his face.

"Percy?"

The jet-black haired man raised a hand, which Zuko had come to learn as a sign to 'wait'. The young firebender thought he heard Percy whisper 'I wanna try something' as sea-green eyes glinted in the dark cell.

Unsure how to proceed, he kept his eyes on the man who slowly removed his mask and walked cautiously towards the giant bison with his hands raised to his side to show he was unarmed. Zuko was sure that the weird blue stick that the demigod always carried around is connected to his bronze leaf-shaped sword that was now just gone.

"Hey, big guy," Percy slowly greeted the sky bison like he was talking to a kid. "I'm not gonna hurt you."

Amber eyes rolled at the man's antics. As if the beast would understand hand gestures and human language.

Much to Zuko's surprise, the sky bison's growling had stopped, its beady eyes round – is that curiosity? – as they locked onto the tall man who continued to approach the cloud of dirty white fur with a grace that the young firebender had never seen before in Percy.

"I know you're not a horse, so you probably won't understand me," Percy maintained his gentle tone, while Zuko raised his good eyebrow quizzically at the statement. The former Prince wanted to ask about it but dropped it when he saw the demigod stretching a hand out towards the bison as he continued talking. "I mean I know you won't. You're Appa, right? Aang's friend?"

The sky bison – Appa – seemed to react towards the mention of the Avatar's name, its body straightening slightly and its head tilting to the side. When its eyes landed on the outstretched hand, it started growling slightly again.

"I'm not gonna hurt you," Percy repeated, like a mantra. "And you're not gonna hurt me, right?" he added under his breath, but it was loud enough for Appa to hear as the son of Poseidon closed the distance between them.

The sky bison stopped growling when it heard the gentleness laced in the voice of the man who smelled strangely like the sea.

Seeing Appa stopped its hostility once again, Percy closed his eyes and turned his head away, all while stretching his arm till it was very close to the snout of the beast as he tuned out Zuko's cry of warning.

For a brief second, the silence in the cell was suffocating, yet Zuko could hear his heart thumping. Percy was mad! And he going to lose an arm if –

The young firebender didn't register his jaw drop as his mouth opened agape when the bison closed its eyes and gently nudged its snout against Percy's outstretched palm.

"It worked!" came the demigod excited exclamation. His head whirled around so fast Zuko thought the man snapped his neck, his green eyes glittering in the dark cell.

"Wha –"

"My sister and I saw this in a movie once. Well, two movies actually," Percy explained, then he shrugged as he droned on quickly before Zuko could interrupt. "It's not a dragon, but hey! It's cool." He turned back to face Appa, whose eyes had opened and was staring expectantly at him.

Zuko's mind was a whirlwind of unanswered questions, confused thoughts and more unanswered questions. What just happened? What's a movie? Aren't dragons extinct?

"You wanna keep staring at Appa, or you wanna help me cut the chains?" Percy's question pulled the young firebender out of his muddled thoughts. "I mean Appa's very interesting..."

When Zuko turned his attention to the demigod whose hands were on one of the chains holding down the sky bison's legs, he thought the man was trying to suppress an amused smile. Suppressing his own groan, he walked up towards one of the chains on the other side, raised a leg while he continued to ignore the curious glance Percy was sending him, and slammed his heel onto the metal links.

The chains shattered on contact.

A whistle broke the silence. "Geez, kid," Percy said, an eyebrow raised at the scarred-face teen. "What did they feed you?"

Deciding not to answer the question, Zuko made his way towards the other chain, ready to shatter it with his heel when Percy grabbed him by the arm. Amber eyes snapped towards the demigod to meet sea-green, ready to throttle the guy for interrupting him. But the glistening of something metallic in the corner of his vision caught Zuko's attention, and his eyes widened slightly.

"Where –"

"Lifted it from the last agent we encountered," Percy explained like he was talking about the weather, then he added. "Before you knocked his lights out, anyway."

"How –"

"When you hang out with the Hermes and Mercury kids long enough, especially the Stolls, you pick up a few tricks," Percy was wearing his lopsided, troublemaker smile that looked too smug as he twirled the keys in one finger. "So, wanna give our big-ass new friend here his big-ass jailbreak?"

Let it be known that Zuko really wanted to throttle the man right then and there.

oOo

"Percy?"

The man turned around to look down at the boy, an eyebrow raised slightly. They had released Appa from its chains a while ago, and found a large double door at the back of the cell which seemingly leads to the surface (Percy really had multiple questions about the Dai Li's lack of security). The bison took off in that direction, but not before gratefully licking both its liberators. Zuko didn't look particularly grateful that he was drenched in bison slobber while Percy was somehow completely dry, prompting the former Prince to grumble about 'stupid demigods and their stupid gifts' (Percy wanted to ask if the young firebender had met another demigod lately, but decided to drop it).

Finding the exit was another story altogether, both of them walking in circles around the corridors until Zuko found a sign that said 'Exit This Way'. Percy guessed that maybe the other Dai Li agents got lost themselves in the mini-Labyrinth and needed directions. They followed the arrows until they reached a ladder, which definitely leads to the surface with the sunlight that shone into the

He grunted, signalling that he heard his name being called as they continued climbing.

"What's your father like?"

When he didn't receive an answer, Zuko quickly explained. "You usually talk about your girlfriend, and your family." Like a lot. A few days after Zuko's 'date' with Jin, Percy had somehow opened up more, oftentimes rambling about his life in his homeworld (when that an acceptable notion, again?). Both Zuko and his uncle Iroh knew almost everything about his girlfriend (when he thought about it now, Zuko had a feeling that he had seen that gold hair before from the 'photo' that Percy showed, yet he couldn't place it), his mother, sister and step-dad. Some days the former Prince wanted to shove a rag into the man's mouth just to shut him up and have a few moments of peace, yet he noticed a particular figure was never spoken about.

"But you never mentioned your father. What was he like... to you?"

Silence took over the duo, and the teen was worried he overstepped some kind of invisible line. But he had a question he hoped he could find an answer to. A question that had been tugging at the back of his mind since uncle Iroh told the truth about his... heritage.

His mind started racing, looking for a way to apologize to the man when he noticed that Percy was offering a hand to pull him out of the tunnel. Taking the outstretched arm, Zuko hoisted himself up, and his nose caught a lemony scent and he realized that they had exited the Dai Li secret base and were standing just at the edge of Lake Laogai. He turned to Percy, whose eyes were staring longingly at the waters.

Somehow, Zuko thought he noticed that the demigod's eyes changed to match the clean, blue colour of the Lake. Maybe it's just the sunlight playing tricks on him.

"Percy, I'm sor –"

"Dad's... dad," the man cut off Zuko's attempt at apologizing, stunning the teen into silence with an answer – no matter how weird it was. The teen watched as Percy let out a tired sigh before running a hand through his messy hair, his eyes never leaving the waters. "I mean, he tries to be... there, y'know. But he's a god, so, he has lots of stupid 'divine rules' to follow. Not that he does, really. 'The sea does not like to be restrained', right? So yea, he tries to be as much as a dad as the 'all-powerful god of the sea' could be. Hades, he's been bugging me about my 'annual visit' to his palace, and I think..."

Zuko tuned out Percy's telling about his father's palace and someone named 'Trident' being a 'helicopter half-brother', instead he absentmindedly reached for the rough, jagged skin just below his eye. The words spilt out of his mouth quicker than he even realized.

"My father... he gave me this scar."

The first thing Zuko noticed was not Percy's abrupt silence, it was the sudden sound of an explosion. Thinking they were attacked, the prince quickly looked up towards the Lake, his amber eyes widening at the sight of a tall pillar of water spraying into the skies. At first, he thought a huge rock was dropped into the lake, but rocks don't just fall from the heavens into the middle of the water. And the lake was churning dangerously. He knew someone who could control the water (other than the Avatar's waterbending friend), and that someone was standing next to him – he turned his head towards the son of a sea god, and his body stiffened.

The man's body was straight and tense, every muscle quaking under his black tunic with a barrage of emotion that he seemed to try to contain. His hands were clenched into shaking fists to the point his knuckles were whitening beyond Zuko's imagination.

"Percy?"

The man whirled his head around when he heard his name being called, and Zuko felt the blood in his veins freeze. Percy's face was flushed red that could be seen obviously despite the tan he possessed. His jaw was clamped tight while his lips formed a single line that curled downwards into a snarl. A few thick veins were visibly throbbing in his neck. His nostrils were flaring, and Zuko thought he saw steam huffing out of them with every exhale.

But the worst part was his eyes. They were round, like someone had taken the liberty to widen them. His pupils, which usually reminded Zuko of the calm seas, were now glowing a very dark shade of green and looked ominous to the teen despite the two orbs not being fixated on him nor his direction. Right now, they looked like the seas when they were stormy, like rampaging tidal waves that wrecked and sunk ships that dared challenge nature. Never before had the teen felt the strong urge to just run. To just turn around and flee. Yet, his legs were frozen in their place.

"He did what?"

The question was asked in a tone so low Zuko thought he heard Percy growling instead of talking.

"Umm..." Zuko stammered, unsure what to say. Again, his mouth moved faster than his brain could comprehend. "I got the scar from him?"

Another explosion, and the exiled-Prince didn't need to turn his view back to the lake to know that another pillar exploded from the lake into the air. He was getting slightly drenched with sprinkles of water. His ears were ringing with the sound of wind picking up.

Wait, where did the wind come from?

"Why?"

"To teach me a lesson," Zuko managed not to stammer somehow. "I dishonoured him."

The half-god's breathing became laboured, and his face cast in a dark shadow that contrasted with the flickering of green glow that emanated from his body. Suddenly the air felt too heavy. Too suffocating for Zuko to breathe. It was made worse with Percy's presence that was just overwhelming.

Zuko's shock, or fear, must have shown on his face, because almost immediately Percy closed his eyes and started taking deep breaths. When the black-haired man opened his eyes again, the dangerous green glow was gone and he was back to his normal self. He smiled, but it looked tight and didn't reach his eyes. Zuko noticed the Lake had calmed in the corner of his vision, the waves subsiding to a still.

They remained standing there for a few more seconds, silence descending upon them as Zuko didn't know how to proceed. Was Percy going to give a verbal response?

Turns out, he didn't. Instead, the demigod just marched back in the direction of the Lower Ring, leaving the teen to scramble with his shorter legs to catch up. They continued walking in awkward, tensed silence. Well, awkward for Zuko as he didn't know what to do with an obviously seething person next to him.

(Deep down, he wondered if that was how his uncle and the rest of his former crew felt during the days of hunting the Avatar. He made a mental note to apologize to his uncle when he returns to their apartment.)

"He's not your father," Percy finally muttered after a few minutes, breaking the atmosphere that was beginning to become too uncomfortable for Zuko's liking. The teen's eyebrow reached his hairline as he caught the words with his ears.

What?

He must have asked it out loud because Percy gave him a sideways glance and explained. "I mean, he is biologically your father," then he scoffed "but he isn't a father. Not to you."

Zuko's brow furrowed in confusion. A father but is not a father? Did Percy spend too much time with Iroh? Is that why I don't understand what he's saying?

"Anyone can be a parent," Percy continued, unaware of the thoughts running in the mind of the young firebender next to him. "They can have a child and call themselves a father or a mother," his jaw clenched tightly. "But they'll never be a real parent."

"But he was trying to show me the error of my ways," Zuko protested. Despite defending his father's actions, he didn't feel convinced. Not the slightest bit.

"More like he was trying to protect his fragile ego," Percy countered, a humourless and bitter laugh escaping him easily. That chuckle made chills run down Zuko's spine. "No, a real parent would put in an effort to be there for their kids. Apollo and Hermes sure are one of those trying their butts out to be better, and I sure as Hades know a deadbeat dad when I see one. Royal Air Head is the perfect example."

Despite not necessarily knowing who Apollo, Hermes or 'Royal Air Head' are, Zuko guessed they were the gods that Percy avoided talking about. Maybe 'Hades' is a god too.

"And if a King is willing to publicly hurt his own children for the sake of protecting his own butt," Percy snarled, "then he isn't a fit King."

Zuko was stunned to temporary silence, but he quickly found his tongue. "Then what am I supposed to do? Overthrow my own father?"

He expected the demigod to encourage him to go with that plan. He didn't expect Percy's expression of anger to drop to one that was blank while chuckling bitterly.

"If I said 'yes', I'd be a hypocrite."

Not understanding the last words that the man with black hair said, Zuko allowed their walk to once again descend into silence. But this time, it wasn't as tense as before. Somehow, Percy had loosened up, his raging persona dropped for the annoying, rambling fool that the exiled-Prince had known for a few weeks to return. The man would talk about his sister – remarking about how cute she was when she was asleep, but a tiny ball of 'chaotic energy' (not that Zuko understood what that meant) when awake and running around – while the boy would just tune him out or roll his eye in exasperation.

They snuck back into the Lower Ring easily (Zuko had several questions about the competency about Ba Sing Se's security), ready to use the monorail to enter the Upper Ring and meet with Iroh when Percy stopped Zuko.

"Hey, I got a favour I need to ask from you," somehow Percy had the ability to look sheepish, scratching the back of his neck and looking much like an awkward teenager than an adult. Seeing Zuko nod silently, he continued. "It's not noon yet, so Imma head to the library at the University. And I could use the company."

"Are you asking me out?" Zuko looked at the demigod. "I thought you said you're taken?"

Sea-green eyes widened at the implication, and Zuko watched in amusement as Percy slapped a palm on his head and grumbled about 'teenagers being annoying' before he explained. "No, that's not what I'm talking about."

"Then?" The teen was confused, to say the least. "I think you could go on your own. It's at the Middle Ring, right? Besides, Uncle needs my help to finish with setting up the tea shop and completing our move."

Percy looked more awkward for a second to the teen's surprise, but it quickly disappeared when he waved a hand in front of him. "Iroh said there isn't much left to worry about in terms of the relocation. And he was confident he could take care of setting up the shop while we're on our little 'adventure'." The air signs that Percy made had Zuko rolling his eyes again, then the man started scratching the back of his neck again. "And I could go alone, but I can't read whatever that's in their books. Or scrolls. Or whatever you call them."

Zuko did a double-take, seemingly caught off guard by the revelation. "Why not?"

"Dyslexia," came the easy answer.

The look on the teen's face was enough for Percy to know that he didn't catch on.

"Words float around for me, makes it difficult for me to read." He explained briefly, before shrugging. "My brain's not hardwired for that language."

Raising his eyebrow curiously, Zuko kept his stare on the tall man in front of him. "Then what language is your brain... 'hardwired' for?

"Greek. Ancient Greek."

Zuko pondered about it as he looked at Percy like the demigod grew an additional head. He seemed rather calm about it, mentioning Dis-slacks-his-tongues-twist-when-he-tries-saying-the-word and whatever ancient thing he says he could read like whatever he said about Gods and Monsters and otherworldly stuff were a daily occurrence to him. The firebender never knew another language existed that wasn't Chinese. Let alone an ancient one.

That would definitely explain all the times Percy took the wrong bag of tea.

The exiled Prince made an effort to look like he was pondering about it even further, which made Percy fidget even more, before a smile crept upon his face and he gave the man a nod.

"Alright, what do you need me to do?"

Maybe things would get better after all.

Right. I should have posted this on Saturday, but several aspects of the previous draft totally didn't resonate with me, so there was a need to rewrite. I still think this could have been written better though. Maybe its something that RR said before, about regretting the stuff we wrote or something lmfao.

So, we're reaching the end of the arcs of Book 2: Earth, and the 'Crossroads of Destiny' is just around the corner. I'll most likely update in 2-3 weeks. My brain hurts right now so... heh

I'll see y'all when I see you guys then.

- LaidEffect