Doujinshi Chronicles, Episode 1: Departure

[BlueRush]

DOUJINSHI CHRONICLES
EPISODE 1: DEPARTURE

THE FORGOTTEN TEMPLE

In the land of Kansai, deep in the Great Desert, there is a old stone temple surrounded by sand and large rocks. It lies deep inside a steep valley, and it is near impossible to get to. This temple is old and nearly forgotten, but deep inside there is a narration written on a stone tablet. Some call it a legend -- a mere fantasy of a forgotten civilization. Others call it a prophecy, predicting that one day the world will be covered in darkness, and only a small group fighting for the light will be able to stand against it without falling.

The temple was old and in ruins, and sand filled many of the rooms. However, the temple is not abandon; at least not today. No, today three people stood in this room. They all dressed the same, in black clothing, and all of them carried swords as well. One of the three had long black hair, while the second behind him had red hair that was tied up above his head. The third had shorter black hair, and he while he looked older than the the redhead beside him, he was actually the youngest there.

"So this place does exists, huh? Never would have guessed." The short haired man said, staring at the old walls and the sand-covered floor. "I guess that means those stories the Ishbalians tell are true?"

"I wouldn't know," The man with long, black hair replied. "The prophecy contained in this chamber is as much as mystery to us as anyone. It's not our concern, however, so keep sharp -- the target is rumored to be a powerful one."

Suddenly something moved in the shadows, and all three of the men tensed up. They knew that something was behind them. It was most likely their target, and if it was, then it just got the upperhand in what would be the start of a dangerous battle.

The three spun around, and they saw what was behind them.

"That's..."

NAKAJIMA HARBOR
On the mainland of Kansai, to the southwest lies the country called Amestris. This is a large country, divided up into five sections.
Kyoto to the northwest, Shinobi Villages to the northeast, the Great Desert to the southeast, Amestris to the southwest, and the Great Forest in the center.
Each of the sections has a large military city established to keep the peace and protect the country. The Eastern Military City is extra important in this, as for years Amestris has been at war with the Ishbalian Tribe from the Great Desert -- which sat in the southeast of Kansai.

Amestris's leader was a powerful man called Bradley who acted as both the Fuhrer, the highest ranked officer in the military, and the King. This meant that Bradley was in charge not only of the Military, but of the private and social sectors of Amestris as well. Many thought him a fitting ruler, and a wise man, since Amestris was one of the strongest nations on the country in terms of military strength. Though the country did not have the technology of nearby island Hoenn or the city of Kyoto seperated from Amestris only by the Briggs Mountain Range, this was not from a lack of science. They studied an ancient science that most countries had dismissed, a science known as Alchemy.

In Amestris, talented and gifted alchemist join the military -- be it for glory, fortune or another reason altogether -- and they recieved the title of State Alchemist. It is these State Alchemists who make Amestris as powerful as it is. These elite warriors are calm, intelligent and in total control of any situation.

"Get back here and apologize you whelp!" A blonde boy in a red jacket was running through the streets, chasing a boy who wore a brown and tattered shirt and shorts. The boy looked being chased looked frail and weak, but he actually ran quite fast.

State Alchemists are not only the secret weapon of the military, but champions of the people. Always aware of those in plight, and always standing up to help the little guy.

"When I catch you I'm gonna kick your ass with my metal foot!" As the blonde ran, he furiously waved his arms in the air. As it happened, his right arm smashed into and broke a piece of wood. He didn't think this warranted his stopping, so he kept chasing the boy in brown; but in fact he had just broken the support beam that held up one end of a vegetable stand, and now cabbage began to fall onto the street.

"My cabbages!" The owner of the stand grabbed his head in frustration. "Aye, all those cabbages ruined... well, at least I can take comfort in the knowledge that this kind of thing happens only once during the course of one's life." More on that, later.

The boy in brown continued to run, and as he ran being chased by the blonde, his face curved into a small smile on the corner of his lip. As the chase neared the shipping yards where vessels from foreign lands docked, the boy in brown ran past a large black ship that flew flags from another country. Merchant flags.

However, out of the ship came a teenage boy wearing a stained outfit.

"I can't believe this, Uncle! I've not only had to leave my country, but the entire continent." The teenager in the stained outfit -- the one with a burnt eye -- growled and hauled everything he owned (a single bag of stuff) over his shoulder and stepped onto the new land, unaware of how very different his life was going to get.
"Think of it as an adventure," said his uncle, Iroh. He was an old man with a short gray beard and a wise but fun-loving smile. "After all, it's not every day one gets a vacation in a faraway land."
"It's called an exile, Uncle," said Zuko, trying to remain calm.

The boy in brown continued to run away from the boy with the red jacket, and his smile deeped. In a moment, he turned a corner onto another street. Then the boy stopped and turned around.

"Finally giving up, huh?" The boy in the red jacket panted, and one of his legs was shaking. It was a long run.

"It begins now." The child in brown tattered clothing said ominously.

"What begins is me kickin' your --"

"Edward Elric, the future begins now." The child in brown cut off Ed, and then he smiled and his body began to change. His skin became a deep shade of blue, and then he slowly sunk down into the ground like water going down a drain.

Edward Elric, State Alchemist, blinked twice. "Wha--? Am I seeing things?" He rubbed his eyes, and then he shook his head. "Forget it, I need to get back to the local HQ and find Al before he picks up anymore stray cats."

Just up the street, the street Ed would have to go down to find the Military HQ, there was a bald boy sitting with a girl, another girl, and the first girl's brother. They had just arrived as well in Amestris; but luckily they had been spared the encounter from a creepy boy who can dissolve in front of your face. At least, for now they had.

Nearby, a radio blared the latest news: "...as many as twelve hundred without homes due to this catastrophe. And tonight's top story: how many dust mites are in YOUR bed? Find out tonight at 11! ...And the President of SIPLHCO still remains missing! The police department has determined that it was a kidnapping, and is offering a reward of one million double dollars to anyone who can provide information leading to his safe return. Among the many bounty-seekers looking for the SILPHCO President is local psychic Sean Spencer, here with us today..."

Since there were rumors that a ship heading in from Kyoto had brought the President of SILPHCO to Nakajima Harbor, this small port town was about to see some excitement... As if that wasn't enough, there were several ships containing new arrivals today...
Likewise, all over Amestris, there were people arriving. These people, though they had no way to know it, would soon be involved in the greatest adventure Kansai had ever seen...

[GoldenSama]

NAKAJIMA HARBOR

A ship flying the flags of Konohagakure no Sato sailed into the harbor, and on the deck of this ship sat a man with white hair and a leaf headband hanging over one eye. He sat crosslegged on the deck of the ship, and in one hand he had a book with a bright orange color.

Hatake Kakashi flipped the page on his book, but at that moment the ship had just arrived. He gave a small shrug and closed the book, putting it away in his vest, and then he turned to the group on the ship.

"Okay, we're here." Kakashi was leading Team 7 to a foreign country. Why? A mission. This was a B-Rank Mission, but somehow Kakashi had convinced the Hokage to take them here. What was the exact mission? Kakashi hadn't told them yet. Nor had he revealed why several other ninjas besides just Team 7 was on the boat.

"Get your stuff." Kakashi told them, and he headed off the ship.

EASTERN HQ

Ed sighed as he arrived where Al was waiting for him outside the Military HQ. He decided not to mention the melting boy who he thought he'd seen. He shook his head, and then looked up at Al.

"Well, let's get this overwith. I hate having to go report to Mustang."

Ed hurried, leading the way to Roy Mustang's office, which he quickly entered. Riza Hawkeye, the First Lieutenant, was sitting behind her desk typing up a report.

"Hello boys, the colonel's expecting you." She said without looking up.

"Yeah, thanks Lieutenant..."

[Crystal Rose]

Nearing NAKAJIMA HARBOR


“This is not funny, do not tell me you guys gave me the wrong coordinates” A teenager’s voice blared through a set up system of video and audio communications. Usually the device was used for in battle communication but today was different….Well I suppose this could count as a battle….The girl ran a gloved hand through her hair pressing the short follicles behind her left ear. The other hand was placed on a steering clutch and her face—instead of directed on where she was flying—was directed to the convo-screen. Apparently the five men on the other side of the line did something to seriously upset the girl. But that was rather easy nowadays. “Come on! You can’t tell me this isn’t Oban! Who in this stupid world is navigating for me?!”

“Well you are supposed to be following the Avatar’s aura” A teenaged Japanese mechanic by the name of Koji explained. “But something is up” His mech partner a dark skinned man, Stan, picked up on where he left off.

“This is where the aura is coming from but our sensors are showing that this is in fact not Oban”

Molly couldn’t help but let out a huge annoyed groan and swerved a bit. The crew back at the base planet held their breaths for a moment. The teen pilot was known for her wreck less style. The oldest man back at the base growled. He was Don Wei, the famous race manager of Tokyo and the leader of the group. The Arrow Two was the Earth team’s last star racer and their last ticket to their one true wish….

“Molly if you crash that racer so help me-“

Molly rolled her eyes “Have I crashed it yet?” She waited for the pause and rolled her crimson eyes “Exactly”

“Touché little mouse” The previous pilot—Rick-- muttered with a little laugh. Molly smiled and looked away from the screen to see where she was going. At least one person, a rather unlikely one, was on her side. Well she did take over his piloting position.

The final boy with the base group who usually was with Molly as her gunner in both Arrows spoke carefully just in case Don Wei was not happy with Molly’s little remark.

“Well the sensors say you are in a nearby planet….Well it doesn’t say which one though…. Maybe you are on earth then?” Hearing no response from the girl he spoke again. “I told you I should have come with you Molly”

“It wasn’t my idea to go alone, but the Avatar said we made this part of the journey to Oban alone. Akkai went without his father you know”

“I bet that Akkia was the one who set the whole thing up”

“Shut up” Molly retorted loudly “Why do you have a problem with the Prince? He’s really nice!”

“Because he is just trying to get close so he can beat you!” Jordan yelled back into the monitor

The other men, even the hot headed manager stayed quiet as they fought. If Molly got angry when Jordan spoke she’d probably crash the whole racer if they interfered,

“You big headed LOSER! You are just Jealous that he’s a better fighter”

“And YOU think he’s cute!”

"LOSER"

"SHUT UP! You're just a girl Molly! You heard Wei, Girls shouldnt even piolot! They are too sensitive!!!"

“You know what?! I think I’ll be taking a mini vacation wherever I am? It’s better than coming back to you guys!” Before anyone could reply Molly clicked off her communication. “Molly out!” she roared

Don Wei growled “I’m going to kill that girl!”. The others just stayed silent including Jordan who was rather dumbstruck.

Meanwhile Molly set down the Arrow two, preparing for a landing right in the middle of the southwest land of Amestris, a place known for it’s harbors, a place where she would be blowing off steam. Maybe they had a good arcade.


EASTERN HQ

With a loud yawn a young woman leaned back in a chair. There had been no battles lately since the president of SILPHCO had been kidnapped so this gym leader had been spending time in Central getting a bit of work done with the League. Apparently Amestris hadn’t been the only nation affected; the woman had been getting calls from all over Kansai from the other Emerald league gym leaders asking if she was in the same predicament. The woman stood and stretched her arms. “Well maybe they’ll catch the kidnappers soon, I’m gonna be out of business if they don’t. Just as she concluded speaking the phone rang with a friend from another nation on the line.

“Eh, Shiza here” She announced boredly ready to explain that she still didn’t know what was up with the kidnappers.

“It’s Misty” The girl on the other side announced “Any news?”

“None what so ever” Shiza answered

“I’m getting worried, I wonder if Lance is taking the case as a G-man”

“Is he even one any more?” Shiza asked tiring her blonde hair up with her free hand.

“Dunno, you cant just leave that, plus he was the champion”

“I suppose”


NAKAJIMA HARBOR

A small girl stood against the concrete wall, her feet planted firmly on the hard stone ground. The group that she was now with was stopping for awhile in the nearby town in hopes to allow their giant flying bison rest for a bit. Personally she was happy with the break, while in the air she felt rather empty. There was nothing up there she could see. Now here she could tell the buildings, rocks, trees, everything from everything thing else. She could even tell that her three friends were beside her. The other girl, Katara, was pulling out some food she had just retrieved. The older girl, dark skinned and blue eyed was certainly contrasted to the others in this land along with her brother Sokka but it didn’t really matter. Instead the more strange difference was the fact that there were no benders anywhere nearby other than herself, Aang, and the raven haired earthbender Toph.

“Hungry Toph?” She asked holding out a piece of bread. The girl nodded and took it taking a huge bite out of it.

“So Aang, how long exactly do we get to stay here?” Toph asked “We should at least get to walk around for a little bit”

[Cojo]

NAKAJIMA HARBOR

Sasuke got up and blinked. After listening to Naruto non-stop for the past how many hours, he was willing to go anywhere and do anything, if not to just shut him up. Sasuke gathered his things, and jumped off the boat landing on the dock.

Neji opened his eyes after sleeping through most of the trip. Yawning a bit he also got off the ship. But something was nagging at him. Why were more then Team 7 Genin here on a mission? And why was he chosen to accompany? Must be pretty important.

A little ways over Master Cheif stepped into the sun. Why exactly was he here?

"Why exactly are we here?"

"The President is missing. I am here to find him and bring him back safely. He may have valuable technology to defeat the Covenant."

"What's your first plan of action?"

"I'm gonna need some supplies, or who knows maybe I'll find a bounty hunter and a wanted man around here."

(So not a hint. Speaking of which do Master Cheif, Vash, And Samus all know each other? Or are they going to have to be re-introduced?)

[Dark Phazon]

Spirit World - Koenma's Office

Inside the main office room of Lord Koenma's palace, a short toddler with a pacifier and a big blue hat was pacing back and forth, as Jorge the Ogre stumbled in from another room carrying a huge stack of papers. As he placed them on the desk in the center of the room, he said, "Koenma, sir, this is the paperwork for this aftern..."

"OGRE!! Can't you see I'm busy thinking!" yelled out the toddler, inexplicably still with the pacifier in his mouth. There came a knock from outside the door to the office, but Koenma continued yelling over it. "Now's not the time for paperwork! Why don't you do it instead!?"

"Umm... Koenma, sir..." Jorge tried to interrupt.

"Didn't you hear a word I said?! There is a major situation down on Kansai and I have to think about a way to stop it! And..."

"No, Koenma, sir. It's just that someone's at the door." Jorge then said.

"Well why didn't you say so before?!?! It must be Botan," Koenma shouted. "Well what are you waiting for?! Let her in already!! Seriously, I think we need to get a new group of ogres to work around here..." Koenma rambled, as Jorge opened the door, behind which was a pretty young-looking girl in a bright pink kimono, and with long blue hair.

"What did you want, Koenma, sir?" the girl asked, after walking in.

"There is a situation in human-world, that I need someone from my squad to help with, immediately" Koenma said, handing Botan a folder. "Inside this, is all the information you are going to need."

Botan took the folder, then read the report inside. "But what about the shinigami Power Seal?" she asked, closing the folder.

"I'm sorry, but I need one of my people on this job, and by the time the power seal is fully off of our division's members, it'll be too late. I'll try to get some others from Soul Society to come in as backup later," Koenma responded. "You'll be set up with a gigai once you get to human-world."

"Yes, sir." Botan responded, and then she left for the portal zone to be taken to *insert world's name here*.

((Betcha' didn't expect her to be in her pink kimono, did ya? Being part of Koenma's squad has it's perks...))

[BlueRush]

NAKAJIMA HARBOR
(( Everyone will need to be re-introduced. ))

"Brother, wait," said Al, looking back out the window. "We were in this area looking for someone, weren't we? I think-- I think that might be him! Riza, tell the Colonel we'll be right back! We're outside if he needs us! Come on, brother, quick!"

Alphonse went outside, and ran towards Aang!

Meanwhile, nearby, Iroh looked over. Should I tell him? he thought to himself, I have no idea how he will react, since capturing the Avatar will no longer benefit him... it will probably be pretty funny, though!

"Hey Zuko!" said Iroh, pointing. "Isn't that the Avatar and his friends, sitting there defenseless?"

NAKAJIMA SPIRE
A tall spire overlooks Nakajima. Built by a company in Kyoto who wanted to bring technology to Amestris, the KaibaCorp Tower was at one time the most technologically advanced place in Amestris... which still isn't saying much. But the people of Nakajima, and Amestris as a whole, resisted the change, and the company pulled out... leaving a large, abandoned tower.

In the dusty, dank ground floor of the tower, four figures stood. One was a pretty blond girl; one was a man with messy black hair and samurai robes; and the other two were shaded in darkness.

The man drew his sword. "Don't tell me this is a trap," he said.
The woman in darkness chuckled lightly. "Not quite," she said, "But we did need to lure you here."
The blond girl crossed her arms and scowled. "I'd like to avoid being the bait next time, if that's all right with you."
The woman in darkness stood up and looked at Mugen. "My propostion is simple. Wait here, and kill everyone who tries to pass through those doors. Understood?"

Mugen shook his head. "No way in hell."
A bag was tossed to his feet from the shadows. He picked it up-- it was full of double dollars!
"Okay." said Mugen, "I'll do it. What's the catch?"
"No catch," said the woman. "But if you fail..." There was a whizzing sound, and suddenly as though from nowhere, the bag burst open, slashed by a blade, and coins scattered everywhere.
"...that will be your throat."

NAKAJIMA HOTEL
A second samurai sat outside the hotel he had slept in that past night. He was sitting cross-legged on the ground. He had perfectly arranged black hair and blue samurai robes.

"Oh?" said the samurai, as a passing mailman on a bike dropped a letter on his lap. He opened it.

Dear Jin,
According to the ISBB (International Samurai Bingo Book), you are a warrior who is both honorable and trustworthy. We at SILPHCO would like to entrust you with the task of (1) retreiving our President from his kidnappers, and (2), preventing less trustworthy bounty hunters from doing so. Since, according to our sources, you are in Nakajima at the moment, which is the currect suspected location of our President, we hope you will accept our offer graciously. The reward money is, as you may have heard, $$1,000,000. Have a nice day.
Sincerely,
SILPHCO

Jin stood up. It looked like he'd found a way to get them passage to the next town...

[Mist Falcon]

Sand Village

A reddish-brownish haired young boy trudged through the sand streets of Sunagakure. He needed to make himself feel alive....now. But he restrained himself, which is hard to believe...he need not arise a problem. He was traveling out to the Great Desert, where he could (mostly) be alone. To quench his bloodthirst, he'd kill every animal along the way, just so he couldn't be seen as a monster if front of his people. I need to show them all I am not a monster...and I also need a family...someone to love.

[Kimiko]

NAKAJIMA HARBOR

"Wait up, Sasuke-kun!" Sakura called to her team mate, picking up her own things. She caught up and grinned at him, lacing her fingers together. Haruno Sakura hadn't gotten her opportunity to win Sasuke's heart on the boat ride there, but she knew she'd reel him in here.

"Sakura-chan! Wait for meeeee!" Uzumaki Naruto rang, carrying his bag AND several other bags of Sakura's that he'd agreed to carry.

"Come on, Naruto!" She told him, turning her head. "If you fall behind, you get LEFT behind!"

Meanwhile, an infamous super hero stood holding her head tightly. At the moment, her face was as green as her shirt.

"Sama!" Super Kimi whined, holding her head. "Why'd we have to take a boat? I would've been much more comfortable flying here. You know I get sea-sick..."

STILL meanwhile, a moped drove around aimlessly, alomsot fallin gover each time it took a turn. On board was a robot, who sat in the back carrying a teenage girl who couldn't stop taking pictures on his shoulder, a young boy clinging to the arch that brought the steering wheel to the driver's arm-length, and the alien steering it, who soon stopped upon the boy's request.

"Don't be such a wet-blanket, Ta-kun." Haruhara Haruko giggled. "You'll loooove it here!"

"At least get directions, Haruko." Nandaba Naota said dryly. "You dragged me all the way here."

"But I haven't gotten pictures of the boats yet." Samejima Mamimi said, holding up her camera. "Maybe Lord Canti and I can go take more pictures."

"But Mamimi--!" Noata was about to object, not wanting Mamimi to leave, but Haruko pulled on the stupid-lookin ghat he was wearing.

"Lighten up, Ta-kun! If they leave, I'll have you alllll to myself!" Haruko puckered her lips mockingly to Naota would flailed and broke lose from Haruko's grasp. He turned away and crossed his arms. "Do whatever you want." Haruko said, turning to Mamimi. "Naoto and I'll get some food!"

Mamimi nodded, remined on Canti's shoulder. "Come along, Lord Canti! Let's get closer to the boats! I can't wait to take pictures of people coming off."

[Dark Phazon]

NAKAJIMA Harbor

There (maybe) was a tall young man with orange hair, sitting on one of the ships, possibly with some of his friends, thinking about what old sandal-hat was making him do, and waiting...

[BlueRush]

NAKAJIMA HARBOR
(( Cautious enough there, DP? ))

"This is ridiculous," said a teenage boy in a long white outfit with blue stripes. He was standing on the boat with the red-haired boy. "We're coming all the way out here just to look for some Hollow?"

"It's not any normal Hollow, Ishida,*" said the girl in the pink shirt, standing next to him. "Sandal-Hat said we all should come all the way here, because there was a spirit about to become a very dangerous Hollow..." She shrugged. "Urahara usually knows what he's doing, right?"

Ishida pushed up his glasses. "I suppose you're right, Orihime*..." he said, "Let me see... I'm the best one here at sensing spiritual forces, so let me see... I do feel a very powerful spirit force coming from over there." He pointed to the street where Aang was sitting. "Let's go and see."

Ishida and Orihime got off of the boat and started that way.

(( *I'm not going to call him "Uryuu," because nobody calls him that; but I will call Orihime "Orihime" instead of Inoue, because it's a better name. I won't play by those rules, gosh darn it! ))

[GoldenSama]

NAKAJIMA HARBOR

"Huh? Alright, come on Al!" Ed went running towards Aang, following Al, hoping they could catch this guy quickly.

Zuko, however, just turned his head away. He looked towards the nearby market, and had his back to the Avatar.

"... I hate him, Uncle. I hate him more than you can imagine. I hate them all -- the idiot, the waterbender, the blind girl... but..." Zuko stopped and turned to Iroh. His face was full of determination and burning with rage.

"As much as I hate them, there's no point. Father isn't going to welcome me back; I'd rather let Azula waste her time on him." Zuko growled. The truth was, he wanted to run to Aang and just blast him with a big fistfull of fire -- but what would be the point? Even if he spent a hundred years chasing the Avatar, his father wouldn't welcome him home.

"Uncle... I think I should tell you the real reason we came to this country." Zuko said, narrowing his good eye as small as his bad one.



Hinata followed the group at the rear. She was being as talkative as ever, and had her index fingers pushed together while she followed Naruto without a word.

Kakashi? He brought up the rear. He was the first off the boat, but the last to come. Kakashi didn't have a spotless record when it came to showing up on time. Now was no exception.

"Okay, we're looking for... 327 S. Westward Street. Keep your eyes peeled for it." Kakashi told them.

[BlueRush]

NAKAJIMA HARBOR
Ed and Al had been in the area seeking a former State Alchemist known as the Arrowed Alchemist... they'd been due for a report, so they'd stopped here, just off their path, to find the Colonel's current, but assumedly temporary, residence.

The brothers were seeking the Arrowed Alchemist because purportedly, he had a red gem which allowed him to greatly amplify his alchemy... this legend sounded a lot like the Philosopher's Stone, which was their true goal. In an alchemic process attempting to bring their mother, Trisha Elric, back from the dead, Ed had lost an arm and a leg, now replaced by automail, and Al had lost his whole body, now replaced by a suit of armor. And now... they had found the Arrowed Alchemist!

"Hi!" said Alphonse, running up to Aang and towering over him. "I'm Alphonse, and this is my brother Ed! Are you the alchemist we've been looking for?"

Meanwhile...
Iroh stroked his beard. "Hmm... do not tell me... you want to learn how to dance, right?" Iroh gave him a wide grin.

[Crystal Rose]

NAKAJIMA HARBOR

"Aang who's Mr. Clunky?" Toph asked motioning to Al, obviously the sound and vibrations of his armor alerted her almost instantly that he was amor...The only thing that didnt make sense was the face that the vibrations inside of him were hollow. Toph stood and steped forward to him knocking on the armor as if for confromation. "Uh...Do you know you're empty?"

"Toph! That's not poliet" Katara stated not really understanding the younger girls words.

"I'm not lying here you know. Theres a hollow vibration" She knocked on him louder.

"I'm sorry, I hope she isnt hurting you"

[GoldenSama]

NAKAJIMA HARBOR

"No Uncle! I'm serious about this... more serious than anything." Zuko said, not as amused as he usually was by Iroh's antics. And if you know how amused he usually is, then you know exactly what I mean by this sentence. Zuko closed his eyes completely, and then he looked up at the sky.

"Sozin's comet... it's going to be here before too long. When that happens, Firebenders all over the world will become powerful. Father is going to win the war when that happens... but, if I can learn to be a better firebender than father, then with the comet's power, I could beat him." Zuko said all of this while looking at the sky; now he looked to his Uncle.

"Uncle... when Sozin's comet arrives, I'm going to challenge father to Agni Kai... and when I win, he'll have to recognize me as the Prince again. No... he'll recognize me as the new Fire Lord." Zuko was ambitious, alright, but challenging his father to Agni Kai? Making Ozai surrendor his throne? Now Zuko really was overdoing it... but he was mad. Mad that his father had not only banished him, but tried to arrest him.



Meanwhile, Aang blinked as a short kid in a red coat and a armored man ran towards them. He smiled and walked forward. "Hi, I'm --"

"Stay back!" Sokka jumped in front of Aang with his boomerang. "I'll handle this Aang! Who are you, and what do you want? You better know I'm the best warrior in the Water Tribe and I can use this thing!" He meant the boomerang.

"Uhh, Sokka, I don't think --"

"I said I'll handle this Aang!"

[Dark Phazon]

NAKAJIMA Harbor

"If I remember correctly, you weren't forced to come along," retorted the orange-haired guy to Ishida, as he was following behind them. As he said this, a girl in a pink sweater and blue pants walked over to the group.



"Hello!!" the girl said with a wave. "You must be the shinigami substitute, Kurosaki Ichigo, and his friends that were sent here by Urahara!" she said to the three. "I'm Botan, and was sent here to help you out!" she then said, with a smile.

"H-how did you know?" asked an incredulous Ichigo.

"Easy, you have a shinigami substitute badge!" she said, pointing at the wooden looking badge hanging from Ichigo's pocket (that people who can't see shinigami wouldn't be able to see). "Plus, I read the report about what we're supposed to be doing, silly! Anyway, we should get going!" Botan then started again in the direction where Ishida and Orihime had been going.

((Note that Botan is currently in a gigai, and is as visible as any other human being, just like Ichigo, Orihime, and Ishida))