Percy couldn't move, he was frozen watching his best friend move to strike down his oldest friend. Her brother...
Percy snapped out of his trance when he saw Iroh redirect the bolt of lightning into the mountains around the bay. He came back on the deck after soldiers began dropping into the sea like flies. When he saw Azula going through the lightning kata he thought he was too late to stop a disaster. Thank the gods for Iroh and his tea obsession.
He was shaken from his thoughts when he saw Iroh knock Azula into the bay, making a split-second decision he rushed to intercept Iroh and Zuko. The look of shock on Zuko's face was priceless. Iroh on the other hand kept his composure, face betraying no real surprise after seeing Percy face-to-face for the first time since his rescue all those years ago.
"Percy?!" Zuko blurted out, caught flat-footed by the sight of his old friend. The prince never noticed his uncle taking a combat stance next to him, readying himself to fight the young swordsman if needed.
"What are you doing here? You're supposed to be with Master Piandao?"
"Um maybe if you'd ever responded to my letters you'd know why," Percy said his tone betrayed a sense of hurt that his friend had never responded to him. Percy let out a sigh before continuing, "Look, this wasn't meant to happen. We had good intentions. Well, mostly good. But we can all see that this isn't ending with a happy family reunion, not for a while at least." Percy squeezed his eyes, by letting them go he was technically betraying his friend. It was small and for her own good, but a betrayal all the same. "Run. Run and don't look back."
Zuko was shocked once again. The prince honestly didn't think he could take any more surprises today. Iroh on the other hand fully grasped the implications of what the young swordsman was saying and relaxed his stance.
"Percy, what are you talking about? Come with us, hurry before Azula gets out of the water." Zuko said with confusion and pain lacing his tone. He didn't understand what was going on but the guilt from never replying was easy to see.
"I'm not leaving Zuko. I swore an oath to protect Azula and I won't go back on my word." Sea green eyes meet hurt and confused golden. "Run because the next time we meet, we will most likely be enemies." Percy finished with grim determination.
Hurt flashed across the young firebender's face as his oldest friend proclaimed them to be enemies. Before Zuko could sort out his emotions, Iroh once again took control of the situation. "Thank you for the warning, Percy. I trust you'll take care of my niece."
"Azula pretty much takes care of herself, I'm just here for show." Percy grinned at the man.
"That is not the care I speak of." Iroh's gaze was heavy and held much wisdom. Percy didn't know what the old general was talking about, but he nodded anyway cause that seemed like the right thing to do.
As Percy watched the two firebenders run away, he waited a moment before raising floating soldiers back up to the ship. He noticed Azula dragging herself onto the port, her armor soaked and covered in seaweed. She did not look happy.
Good, Percy seethed. She's not the only one that's angry.
( - )
"I think we're safe here for the moment." Iroh panted to his nephew, both out of breath from their mad dash away from the ship.
"Why didn't Percy come with us? And why did you tell him to take care of Azula? If anyone needs help it's us, uncle." Zuko demanded, anger and hurt lacing his tone.
"We have been away from home a long time, nephew. I told you to respond to Percy's letters, that was your pride and ego that stopped you. Did you expect your friend to remain stagnant while you were away?"
