𝙗𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙗𝙧𝙞𝙙𝙜𝙚𝙨 » sokka {1}

19

chapter nineteen

Yanmei, Zuko, and Iroh thought it would be best to continue their journey the next day after the storm had passed. all three of them currently sat on their ostrich-horse riding through a small cleft in the valley. all of them there wa a tight fit, but they had no other mode of transportation besides walking, which none of them wanted to do. Iroh groaned every two seconds from his injury, which had been basically healed by Yanmei, but alas, Iroh continued to dramatically groan in discomfort.

"maybe we should make camp," Zuko offers.

"no, please, don't stop for me!" Iroh responded in a fake, pained voice. Iroh lets out several more pained groans. Zuko had had enough and pulls the reigns of the ostrich-horse, stopping it. they all dismount the ostrich-horse and Iroh takes a seat on a large flat rock. the ostrich-horse perks up, pricking its ears, detecting something unusual. Zuko and Yanmei take a defensive posture. Rough Rhinos streak through the foliage around them. Colonel Mongke's rhino stamps the ground forcefully, breaking the surface crust. the teens continue their defensive postures, ready to attack at any given moemnt.

Iroh brightens up and places a hand on Zuko's shoulder, "Colonel Mongke! what a pleasant surprise!"

" If you're surprised we're here then the Dragon of the West has lost a few steps" Mongke say with a stern voice.

Zuko looks to his uncle, "you know these guys?"

Iroh nods, "sure. Colonel Mongke and the Rough Riders are legendary. each one is a different kind of weapons specialist. they are also a very capable singing group"

"we're not here to give a concert. we're here to apprehend fugitives!"

Iroh grins at the man, "would you like some tea first? I'd love some. how about you, Kachi? I make you as a jasmine man. am I right?"

Mongke doesn't fall for it, "enough stalling! round 'em up!"

the dark skinned, pony tailed fighter swings his ball and chain at Iroh. Iroh kicks the ball away, and he ball, redirected, wraps its chain around the foot of another warrior's rhino. Iroh and Yanmei dodge the fire blasts by Mongke by tumbling along the ground. Iroh rises back up to swat the rump of the rhino that had been chained. the rhino runs off, yanking the dark-skinned warrior who had one end of the chain attached to his belt as well as its own rider. Iroh waves as he watches them go. the archer shoots a lit arrow at Zuko's back. Yanmei runs over to Zuko, stands in front of him, and sends a first blast, disintegrating the bow before it hits them. Zuko then lets a fire blast loose, which burns a hole in the archer's bow, a hand's width above the archer's hand. The blast passes through the bow and breaks the string. Zuko runs up and jumps on the back of Mongke's rhino behind him. a brief duel ensues, with Mongke quickly being kicked off the rhino by Zuko.

Yanmei runs up to the ostrich horse, jumps up on the saddle, grabs Iroh, and rides to Zuko. Zuko jumps from Mongke's rhino into the saddle as they gallops by. the armored warrior, riding in pursuit, throws a grenade at the fleeing ostrich horse. Yanmei bends some water from her pouch with one hand, uses it as a whip, and send the grenade back to the warrior. the grenade explodes right in front of the warrior, giving the three firebenders time to escape.