Oh Tui. I’ve been gone for quite a while, haven’t I? My creativity may or may not have been Chi Blocked, though definitely not by Ty Lee. Besides that, I’ve been watching in on the reactions of two sisters as they read The Promise comics. Anyways, just a Fire last down the page is part 4 of Young Flame. Hope you enjoy.

Part Four- Revelations

General Iroh had seen the entire thing. He had suspected that Zuko would be mad about Zhao’s connection to Mina. He had even predicted that his brash nephew would insult the girl. So he had silently followed the boy. He had not expected the girl to show her feelings through fire. Like Zuko, he was a bit shocked on how much potential she possessed. Being careful to keep out of sight, he once again followed Prince Zuko to his room. The teen shut himself inside, most likely to think about what had just happened. Iroh waited a moment before knocking on the door. “Come in.” He entered. Zuko was in lotus position, meditating in front of his candles. The Dragon of the West felt the flames syncing with the other firebender’s breathing, and changed his own rhythm to match it. When his nephew spoke again, Iroh was surprised at the shamed tone of voice he used. “I assume you saw what happened.” 

“Yes, nephew. But I am just as surprised as you are.” He lowered himself to sit beside Zuko. “You know, the person who recommended her to me did hint that she was powerful. Still, I had no idea her fire held so much power.” The prince hmmed in response. “Apparently,” Iroh continued. “Family is a touchy subject for her, just as it is for you.” He didn’t need to look at Zuko to know that he had flinched. “I assure you, my observations have led me to conclude that Mina wants nothing to do with her uncle.” He left the dimly lit room, leaving Zuko to trust in his words. 

—————

Jee watched as the chef moved around the room, distributing food to the crew. She seemed... hollow. A shell of the effervescent person she usually was. The others noticed too. Quan, although usually a total jerk,  attempted to make a joke. It fell short of the intended target, although the others around him chuckled in an effort to lessen the awkwardness.   Mina didn’t even try to smile. She was lost, Jee realized. Immersed in emotion and memory. Depressed, the way he was when he mourned for the loss of his daughter on the day of her birth. Sick with despair. She had now finished giving out dinner and was making her way to the kitchen. He stood up and followed her. When they got to the doorway he tenderly placed a hand on her shoulder. She looked up at him and he stared down into her amber eyes. “You are missing someone,” he said softly. She looked away, nodded, and Jee could tell that she was holding in tears. What had happened at the harbor? “It will be alright,” he soothed. A whimper escaped her mouth. Jee felt an ache in his heart. He pulled her into a tight embrace, holding on even though the temperature around her spiked. “It’s ok to cry,” he whispered into her hair. With that, she began to sob into his chest, letting go of her pain and latching on to this man who reminded her so much of her father. Jee closed his eyes, willing himself to remain strong. She needed someone to hold onto, not a person who would pull her further down. As the small girl relaxed in his arms, he felt her body temperature decrease and he experienced something that he had been missing for the past 10 years. 

—————

Iroh was teaching his young son firebending, instructing him on how to spark and extinguish flames. Lu Ten beamed at his ability to start a fire, and Iroh had to gently admonish the boy before the flame grew out of control. However, unlike this memory that Iroh so vividly remembered, the glow of the fire increased, until the flames spread all around him, blocking out Lu Ten! He cried out in alarm. Suddenly he was in a dim room. In the strange lighting, which seemed to be coming from a large fireplace in the back of the room, he could make out a small figure meditating in front of him. He squinted, and realized that it was Mina. She sat in lotus position. Her eyes were closed, her face set in an expressionless mask. She gave no indication that she knew he was there. “Mina?” In response, her eyes opened, a red light emitted from them. A glowing red mark in the symbol of a flame appeared on her forehead. Flames burst to life all around her. He took a step back. 

“Intimidating, yes?” The General turned around, and saw a red panda lazily twitching his tail on the hearth of the fireplace. “Yet so beautiful,” the spirit continued. Being unsure of what to say, Iroh kept silent. “Fire has been twisted by the people. It is thought of as war and destruction, a weapon used to harm, something to be feared.” The guardian got up, and began pacing. “But it was really meant to be life. An expression of oneself. Something of beauty.” He stopped and looked straight into Iroh’s amber eyes before continuing, his voice raising in a crescendo. “When people camp, they sit around what to warm themselves? The fire. What do you humans throw into the air for celebration? Fire. What is used to cook food and boil tea? Fire.” He paused to calm himself. “It was meant to be a gift. Just as all the other elements. Something to help your world, not hurt it.” 

Iroh watched as red panda’s head lowered, and he felt that he must say something. “The flames of life,” he spoke softly. “Is what keeps us all alive. It is our energy, our motion, our essence.” The spirit looked up at Iroh. “We who wield elements cannot do so without it, and any human or animal has paths of it’s vitalness winding around the body. If it is blocked, one is paralyzed. If it is flowing, there is power. For us to be serene, it needs to be balanced. Some people call it Chi.” The Dragon of the West could have sworn he saw the creature smile. 

“You are very wise,” he said as Iroh began to wake. “I am glad that Mina is in the right hands.”

—————

When Prince Zuko woke the next morning, he knew when he needed to do. He made his way to the balcony of the control tower, where he knew Mina meditated and practiced every morning as the sun rose. Just as he had expected, the girl was going through her firebending forms with the agility of a fox antelope as the first rays of light reached the world. She balanced on the railing with one hand, reminding him of his sister’s acrobat friend, Ty Lee. He watched for a moment before approaching her. She acknowledged him, jumping down and bowing respectfully. “Prince Zuko.” Her words were quiet, but clearly heard. 

He hesitated, unsure of how she would react.  She didn’t look like she would break down any time soon. “Mina,” he finally said, his voice gruff. She was now looking up at him expectantly, waiting for him to say more. And order, a compliment, a rebuke for doing something dangerous. He clearly his throat. “I wanted to say...” he paused. “I’m sorry.” She was clearly surprised, eyebrows rising. “For insulting you because of your uncle, you know... I-“ She startled him by giving him a hug, her small arms squeezing the air out of his lungs.

When she let go, she laughed at his surprised expression. “It’s ok, bro. All is forgiven. Now, if I want breakfast to be served on time, I’d better start getting ready.” She began walking toward the kitchens.

“Wait,” called Zuko. She stopped. “I, uh, have a question.”

“I have an answer,” she replied, lazily creating a flame in her hands and twisting them to make different shapes.

“Why didn’t you show your uncle your firebending skills?” 

She smiled, looking him directly in the eye. “Never show all of your strengths at once. Let them assume you are weak as you become strong.” With that, she was gone, headed toward the kitchens and leaving the thinking prince behind. 

—————

It was dinner, and Zuko was picking at his food, sullenly moving it around his plate. “Is that crab not to your liking, nephew?” Iroh somehow found the ability to ask him between bites of his own meal. 

The prince glanced up listlessly. “It’s fine.” His mind was on the Avatar, of course. He kept remembering the map his uncle had shown him. The airbender’s trail through the south pole so far had been impossible to predict! 

He didn’t notice as his Uncle gestured at something beyond his line of vision. Suddenly, Mina was at his side, a plate of fish in her hands. With a practiced move, she removed the plate he was eating from and replaced it with the one she had. “Prince Zuko,” she said, returning after putting away the crab dish. “I have some news that might interest you.” He looked up at her, frowning. “All of the fish vendors are talking about it. They say the Avatar is on Kyoshi Island!” 

Prepare yourselves for a weird question. 

What are some strange reactions plants make you have when you eat them? And I’m not talking about normal CANTBREATHCANTBREATHCANTBREATH symptoms, but like, skin turning a diffrent color type of thing. Anything you guys have heard of? No?

I know, I know. I should be doing my research on your weird human world. Guess I’m just a bit busy... 

Yes humans! I hear you! I hear you! In response to your unasked question (your emotions are seen so clearly, it’s almost as if you were purposely projecting your thoughts to us spirits), yes, I will be updating soon. Since Mina is one of the crew on Zuko’s ship, I can’t rely on the episodes for every day antics. The next installment will be entirely from my own accountings of things. 

Part Five- Family

When Prince Zuko came back from his escapade on Kyoshi Island, he and his soldiers were dripping wet. Jee was no exception. He noticed Mina poke her head out of the kitchen to peek at them and smiled as she tried to smother a laugh. After he was dried off, he came to the kitchens, a tenderness in his eyes as he watched her prepare the next meal. “Something smells good!” She noticed him standing in the doorway and her eyes lit up! 
“Jee!” She ran to him, and he saw that her hair was powdered with flour. “Did you really get attacked by the Unagi?!” He laughed at her excited expression, not minding the there was now a smudge of cooking oil on his uniform. 
He was about to reply when Maon came running to him. “Uh, Lieutenant Jee, sir!” 
Maon was an awkward young man, who often found himself in unwanted situations. He was hesitant when speaking and not the brightest of the bunch. Nevertheless, he was kind and empathetic, and Jee found no reason to distrust him.  
“Yes?”
“Uh, Prince Zuko wants to spar, sir. He, uh, is anxious to begin. Uh, he says that he needs to be ready for the Avatar.” p

“Hmm.” Jee frowned. He looked down at Mina, who smiled at him. “Alright. I’ll be right up.” Maon exited, scratching his head. Jee hesitated before following him, stopping a moment to pat Mina on the head. 
“When you’re done, come down to try my new recipe, Bà,” she called after him. 
He smiled. “Will do.”
—————
Quan anxiously looked around the dinning room. Eno laughed at him. “What’s wrong, man? Preparing to be out-pranked?”
Said “man” chuckled nervously before leaning over to whisper. “She’s torturing me just by holding me in suspense.” 
“What was that, Quan?” Both men jumped, and turned to see Mina standing behind them, a mischievous twinkle in her eye. She handed Eno a steaming bowl of noodles, despite her dubious look at her now maroon hair. To Quan she gave a plate of rice mush sprinkled with a strange green herb. 
He instantly began complaining. “Aw, Mina, I didn’t mean to—“ She gave him a look that instantly shut him up. 
“My hair has turned red, Quan. I know it was you who put the dye in my shampoo.” A corner of her mouth twitched up. “The least I can do is repay the favor,” she said sweetly before skipping away. 
They watched her go. Quan turned to Eno, a plea forming already. Eno held up his hand. “Nope. Sorry, man, but you asked for this one!” He tantalized Quan by scooping up a bunch of noodles, dropping them into his mouth, and chewing loudly. Quan grumbled as he picked up his chopsticks and started to eat.  
The next morning, Quan blearily put on his armor, oblivious to the strange looks he was getting from his bunk mates. He scratched at something on his face and then something else on his hand. He clomped down to the mess hall for breakfast, hoping that Mina would have had enough revenge and give him something substantial. However, when he reached his destination, the young cook doubled over in laughter at the sight of him. He was confused. “Mina, are you ok?” 
“Oh Agni,” she gasped between her cackles. “Oh Agni!.... this is perfect!!!” 
Eno looked over from where he was already sitting down with a bowl of fàn. He broke a into a grin. “Dude, have you looked in a mirror today?” 

He frowned. “No.” He picked up one of the metal plates to study his reflection. His mouth dropped open. His skin was covered in red bumps, as if he had a severe case of pig chicken pox. “Mina,” he shouted angrily. “What did you do?!” Her response was to laugh all the harder. He groaned. More people were starting to come into the dining room, and Mina’s laughter was contagious, even for those who didn’t know what they were laughing at. Finally, the girl calmed down enough to grab him by the hand and pull him into the kitchen. 

“Here,” she said, still giggling childishly. She handed him a pulpy looking juice. “Drink this. It will make your rash fade in about an hour. Don’t scratch anything.” He muttered something inaudible before gulping it down. She gave him a devious grin. “Never mess with the chef, bro.”

—————

“I still don’t see why you wanted me to come out here,” Prince Zuko grumbled, as he was dragged by the hand to the upper deck. 

Mina smiled as she pushed open the door and breathed in the cool night air. “It’s a beautiful night, Prince Zuko!” She let go of his hand and spinned under the stars until she became dizzy and  fell, laughing, to the deck. She flopped onto her back and looked up at the sky. “Come here.” She demanded. With a reluctant sigh, he sat down next to her. “Look up.” He laid down so he could do so comfortably, and then gasped. The universe above them sparkled with the millions of tiny lights. It was dark, but Zuko could imagine her smiling, her big golden eyes taking in the beautiful scene. Against his will, he also admired the beauty and allowed himself to forget the past two and a half years of frustration. 

Suddenly there was a metallic thud from the other side of the deck. Oath of them sat up, startled. Sprawled on the floor was a clumsy young soldier that Zuko had occasionally seen around. He couldn’t remember his name. He scowled at the unknown person. “Sorry, sorry,” the young man hastily apologized. “I was on patrol duty and I-I- didn’t mean to-“

“Maon,” Mina gently interrupted. So that was his name. “Come over.” The awkward soldier obeyed. “Staregaze with us,” she said, “It’s a clear sky tonight.” He complied. Zuko shifted, a bit uncomfortable just “hanging out,” as Mina had put it, with his crew. There was a long silence, occasionally broken be the noise of Maon repositioning. Then Mina pointed up at the night sky. “That’s the girl” They followed her gaze and watched her index finger point out the stars making up this constellation. “There’s the headpiece...” 

Soon the three were immersed in the starry river of the sky. An hour passed quickly, and Mina’s explanations became accents with yawns. Finally, as she yawned in the middle of telling them the story of the black lion-turtle, Maon spoke up. “Are you tired? Maybe you should sleep.” Prince Zuko blinked at his concerned voice. 

Mina opened her mouth to contradict, but a headsplitting yawn came out instead. Sleepily, she nodded. “Goodnight Maon gēgē. Goodnight Zuko gēgē.” 

“Goodnight,” replied Maon. Unlike Prince Zuko, he didn’t seem at all phased by this new familiar way of acknowledgement.

“Night,” he finally muttered, but by then Mina was already past the door. He went down to his own chambers, glancing for a moment at Maon, who was looking at the sky as if it could finish telling him the legend. 

Still. Zuko gege.

—————

“Good morning, Mina.” 

The young chef paused in her bending katas to bow respectfully. “Good morning General Iroh! Your jasmine tea is by the Pai Sho table, still steaming.” 

“You know me well,” the firebending master chuckled. He paused and then added. “Please, call me Iroh.” She gave him a friendly salute of affirmation. He smiled. “Would you like to join me for a game of Pai Sho?” 

“Maybe later, Iroh,” she said. “I’m making pajeon for breakfast today and they aren’t going to cook themselves.” 

She held true to her promise, and after cleaning up lunch she joined him in the control room. “So,” stated Iroh. “I heard you’ve taken to calling some of the crew by familiarities.” 

She shrugged, sliding a tile forward to create a harmony. “Yeah. It just seemed natural, I guess.”  

“Hmm,” Iroh said. He considered this idea, of the crew all being like family to him. It wasn't nearly as alien as he would have thought a few years back. He moved his avatar piece out of harm's way. He knew that his nephew would not consider it at all. He was too distant, too removed because of his mission. But he himself? As he made another move, he decided that yes, it was possible. And he would start to make that possibly a reality. 

He was brought forth from his thoughts by a groan. “Yeye, you’re impossible to beat!” 

He laughed, not minding his new title. “Practice, my dear. Practice.” With a mischievous smile, he slide his white lotus tile forward and won the game.

“It’s not my fault! Weiba kept distracting me! Ow!” A spot on her tunic was now singed, and she frowned at it. 

Iroh was now alert. “Weiba?” Mina smiled sheepishly at him. “Tail? Your tail was distracting you?” 

“Weiba, just show him already, he’s been dragon judged!” 

Glossary:

Bà or Bàba- dad 

fàn- rice

gēgē- older brother

Pajeon- Korean pancake

Yeye- grandfather on paternal side.

Part Six - Spiritual

To Iroh’s astonishment, a red panda, the same one from his dream, made itself known, appearing on Mina”s shoulder. It’s bright eyes stared straight at him, daring him. Hello, Dragon of the West.

“You’re the spirit from my dream,” he breathed. 

Dreams often hold more truth than one might think. You, of all people, should know this. 

“So that means,” he said, turning to Mina, “she is the Essence of Fire.”

Correct. It’s tone was laced with amusement. Quit gawking, old man. You might swallow a water-fly with your mouth open like that!

“Be nice, Weiba,” Mina scolded. She turned to Iroh. “I thought it would be a good idea to tell you, since you understand about balance and peace and all that. Weiba says that while we’re traveling the world, it’s a good idea to find the other protectors. If I’m ever needed, I’ll need you to cover for me while I’m gone!” 

“I see,” said Iroh. “Did Piandao know of this?” 

No, the spirit said. I did not find it nessacary to tell him. I just needed to convince him to send Mina with you. The Avatar alone will not be enough to bring balance to the world. All four of the Essences must work together to restore harmony alongside him. There was a noise that sounded suspiciously like a sigh. My charge insisted on relaying this information to you. I don’t know why I complied. 

But as Mina laughed and rubbed behind the spirit’s ears and he leaned into the comforting touch, Iroh saw why he complied. He smiled. Agni was wise to pair these two together. 

—————

Somehow, word got out that the Avatar and his companions were supporting a prison break on an oil rig meant to retain earthbenders. However, by the time Prince Zuko’s ship got to the scene, the rig was already deserted, only a few soldiers helping others into life rafts remained. He growled in frustration, and attacked the piles of coal around him. As they burned, he caught sight of something abandoned on the metal floor. A choker with a blue stone pendant which was carved to depict flowing water. It seemed so out of place until he realized where he had seen it before. The Water Tribe girl traveling with the Avatar had been wearing this exact same necklace. He looked upon it with determination. He would find them. He would catch up. He refused to be second place.

————— 

Hongsede Weiba was getting a strange tingling feeling, and by looking at Mina he could see she felt it too. They looked at each other, pouring out all their thoughts as their gazes locked on each other. Finally, Mina spoke. “The spirits must be telling us something!” 

He nodded. We should probably investigate! 

“We have to tell Iroh first, so he knows where we’ve gone off to!” 

Wait, he said before she could run off. I have an idea. Yes, you can tell Iroh, but we don’t have to physically go off. We can do it from your small room by the kitchens. 

“What?” Her forehead wrinkled in confusion. 

Trust me. 

And she did. She told the retired general that there was some strange spiritual energy in this place and that they needed to keep the ship docked. Then she closed the door to her little room and began to meditate. 

Be patient, he told her as she shifted anxiously. I will guide you. She calmed herself with a deep breath, and her astral form hovered over her body. On her forehead was a glowing red mark in the flame symbol. 

She blinked, and saw Weiba looking at her from her physical shoulder. “I did it!” 

Well done. If spirits could smile, he did. 

————— 

Iroh was a bit surprised when a blue, translucent Mina came up to the control during a game of Pai Sho. She waved at him and he nodded, indicating that it was ok for her to go ahead. She smiled and bowed, thanking him. Then, she ran out, and from the window Iroh could see her jump aboard a much larger red panda spirit than he remembered. 

————— 

When they arrived at the mainland, Mina looked around. They were in a small earth kingdom village where the locals were celebrating. “Where do we look first?” 

You’ll sense something. It will draw you to the other Protector, who is most likely of earth. 

“Most likely,” she agreed. They watched for a moment as jubilant earthbenders showed off their prowess. She sadly thought of the rig, a place where these people had been oppressed by her kind. Then the tingling came again. “This way,” she said, moving deeper into the crowd. Weiba had returned to his smaller form and ran along the rooftops above her. They stopped at a small shop where three people were embracing. An older woman and man and their son, who looked about sixteen. But that wasn’t the only being there. A ground hog sat on the ground just a few feet away. He had been watching the three but now turned to Mina and Weiba. 

‘Ello, Red, he said. I had a feelin’ you’d be a comin’ our way. 

Don’t call me that, Weiba said, bristling. My name is Hongsede Weiba.

The groundhog cackled, that is, if groundhogs ever could cackle. I’m just teasin’ ya buddy. He turned his attention to Mina, who was following the conversation with a curious expression. This your charge then, Red? I see she’s mastered transferrin’ to the spirit realm. How old is the girly? Ten?

“I’m twelve,” said Mina, frowning. Her mind was still on the rig.

Ah. The spirit nodded. Ya see my charge there? I revealed myself when ‘e was a young’un, ‘bout your age. ‘E picked up the spiritual stuff real quick. Yep, that’s right, ‘Aru was real quick. ‘Ey! ‘Aru! We’ve got visitors! 

The three people had pulled away from each other and were laughing and talking excitedly. Now the boy, Haru, looked over at them. He smiled and motioned for them to wait a moment. Then, with a quick excuse to his mother, he went to the back of the house. The other three followed him. Haru led then inside a barn, which looked like it had been housing a large animal. “Hello,” he said, sitting down on a bale of hay. “We thought another Protector was near. I’ve been feeling a sense ever since the Avatar helped us Earthbenders break the Fire Nation’s hold on our village. I’m Haru, in case you didn’t catch that.” 

An’ my name is Brown, Young Flame. 

Weiba huffed. His real name is Zongsede Zhuazi. Brown paw. 

‘Ey! I’m just tryin’a make it easier!

“I’m Mina,” said the girl, jumping in before the two guardians could get into a full blown fight. She motioned for Weiba to introduce himself. 

And I’m Hongsede Weiba. He still seemed a bit irritated.

Haru nodded, looking amused. “Red tail.” He glanced over at Mina’s translucent form. “I would normally shake your hand right now, but...” 

“No problem,” she  replied. “So, Essence of Earth, how’s it going?” 

“Pretty good. I mean, we just liberated my village with the help of the Avatar and his friends! Everyone is celebrating!” 

Mina’s smile dimmed for a moment and her expression turned serious. “I apologize on behalf of my nation.” 

Haru looked at her with sadness in his eyes. “I don’t think I can remember the past five years without feeling resentment at the soldiers who bullied us. However, your presence gives me hope, and I’m sure you could vouch for other who would do the same. We Protectors have to stay strong and express our element in the way it was meant to be seen. That is my wisdom to you, Essence of Fire.” 

Her expression lightened. “Thanks, Haru. I will pass on your wisdom to others.” 

He stood up. “I should be going now. It was a pleasure meeting you.” 

That it was, cheered Brown, following Haru. Weiba eyed him wearily. ‘Ey! I’ll be a seein’ ya later buddy. 

Looking forward to it, he grumbled. Mina smiled. He turned to her. We should also be leaving. 

So the two set off back to the ship, both the Protector and spirit feeling a bit more lighthearted.