#atla oc

We all looked over as the smoke faded to see Aang alongside Iroh.

"Aang!" Katara yelled as she ran over to hug him.

"Kya!" Aang said, cheerfully.

"Hey kid," I smiled, patting his shoulder.

"Aang, I knew you would come," Katara said hugging him again.

"Iroh," I said, hugging him. He gave me a gentle smile as Zuko turned to him.

"Uncle, I don't understand. What are you doing with the Avatar?" Zuko asked, pointing an accusatory finger at Aang.

"Saving you that's what," Aang spat.

Zuko tried going after Aang but Iroh stopped him as I stood between them.

"Zuko, it's time we talked," Iroh said, then looked to us, "Go help your other friends. We'll catch up with you,"

"I'm staying," I looked to Katara and Aang, "You two go,"

Katara and Aang hesitated but then ran off. I turned back to Iroh, we both nodded at each other.

"Why?" Zuko asked as he looked away from us.

"Don't you feel like you've changed since you came to the Earth Kingdom? Since starting a new life here?" I asked.

He nodded, silent.

"You're not the man you used to be, Zuko. You are stronger, and wiser and freer then you have ever been. And now you have come to the crossroads of your destiny. It's time for you to choose. It's time for you to choose good," Iroh said. I nodded in agreement.

Zuko looked down to think. But the ground shook and crystals shot up from the ground encasing Iroh and I.

You really don't know when to quit. An admirable trait, but only if she wasn't as dangerous and evil as she was.

"I expected this kind of treachery from uncle but Zuko, Prince Zuko, you're a lot of things but you're not a traitor, are you?" Azula asked manipulatively.

"Release them immediately," Zuko demanded.

"Its not too late for you Zuko. You can still redeem yourself," Azula smirked looking at me, I felt a chill quickly go down my body.

"The kind of redemption she offers is not for you," Iroh called out.

"Why don't you let him decide. Uncle," Azula said.

I kept my cold gaze on Azula who stole glances at me every so often, as if trying to read my reactions. She couldn't though, I made sure to not find any faults in my demeanor to not fuel her. If I react one way or another, they'll both land me in a worse position than the one I'm in right now.

"I need you Zuko. I've plotted every move of this day. This glorious day in Fire Nation history. And the only way we win is together. At the end of this day, you will have your honor back. You will have fathers love," She looked over at me as if it was for me too,"You will have everything you want,"

"Do you really want that Zuko?" I finally said as he looked back to me, "Over the life we've made. Think about how happy you are here, with Iroh, with me,"

"Zuko. I am begging you. Look into your heart and see what it is you truly want," Iroh said.

"You are free to choose," Azula smiled at me before walking off.

Does she really think I'll switch too? The relationship I had with Zuko was my greatest vulnerability. And people like Azula are quick to exploit any weakness they could find. It made me fearful of how far she would go to get the outcome she wants. She's crazy.

"We'll leave here together," Zuko said as our eyes locked,"I promise,"

I nodded as he ran off after Azula.

"You can't promise me something you can't keep," I replied loud enough for him to hear.

Why did it feel like I was saying goodbye?

"Deep down he will always be the Zuko you know. Don't forget that," Iroh said with the same look on his eyes that I had. The very fear I chose to ignore was revealing itself at full force.

Iroh got us out of the crystals we were trapped in as we ran deeper into the cave. I wanted to believe Zuko was fighting for what was right. But I knew Azula, and how she would talk to Zuko. The subtle ways she's speak to me too, she knew what she was doing. Likely calculating every move of tonight. Iroh and I reached the edge as I saw a room filled with water. Aang was shot by a bolt of lightning, his glow faded as he fell from high above. It was like shattering a fish bowl. My diluted idealisms shattered completely and my heart sank to the floor. I jumped down as Katara caught Aang in her arms.

"Aang!" I yelled.

No, this can't be real. No, no, no, no -

I made my way over to them using waves to bring me in front of the Dai Li and my sister. I stood between them, seeing Aang limp in Katara's hands.

"No, no," I paused as I screamed louder than I ever had in my entire life, "No!"

A stream of fire came between us, and Zuko and Azula.

"You've got to get out of here! I'll hold them off as long as I can!" Iroh yelled.

"Come on let's go" I heard as Katara's voice began to fade.

"Go," I said coldly, "Listen to me and get far away from here. Now!"

I saw the fear she held in her eyes as she listened to me. Seeing the murderous intent that brimmed my eyes, she water bent her away out of the catacombs. With her gone, it was free rein for me to release the agony I was feeling. Paying back whoever I could tenfold.

My hearing nulled, as if I was drowning in water. I saw the Dai Li try to attack me as the room filled with water. The air started to get thinner, water particles detached themselves from the air. I shot spears of ice along with crashing waves to the Dai Li. Many struggled, climbing to the walls to avoid the waves crashing against each other.

I created a water vortex to elevate myself from the ground. Shooting pressure streams mixed with ice at the Dai Li pushing them back hitting the walls. I heard men screaming and agonizing in pain, but it didn't once spark any remorse in my heart. Dai Li then choked on water that escaped their throats and froze in place as others were impaled with blood tinted ice from the inside out. It all ended when a stone slab hit my arm, causing me to come crashing down. Another rock made me roll on the ground, gasping loudly from the impact. Dai Li trapped me. My knees dug the ground, trying to feel something, anything. I faced the floor as the water escaped through where it came.

i was a shell of myself, more empty than I had felt all those years ago. The thought of Aang dying from Azula's shot was enough to make me stop caring for anything. This is what I got for letting myself get carried away with emotions. I was so reassured with being told that this would 'Lead to where I desire,' but, this is the last thing I've ever desired in my life. Death, imprisonment, torture, none of it mattered. And I couldn't have cared less if any of those things happened to me at this very moment. I was broken. 

I snapped my neck in Zuko's direction as he watched me, "Don't just stand there and look at me with that face," He looked into my eyes as the light faded from mine more and more, "Kill me you coward."

I let out a small chuckle before my expression faded once more. It all worked out exactly how Azula had planned, smirking as she approached Zuko. Anger turned to emptiness, and sadness faded to black in my mind. I leaned my head to the side, eyes open, but I couldn't hear a thing. A ringing inside my head only got louder and louder. I couldn't say anything nor did I want to as Zuko talked to Azula who simply nodded at him.

My head pounded, "You're going to come with us," I barely heard Zuko say as he looked at me with a sad smile.

Azula approached me, examining my cold dead eyes that looked back at her. She mouthed something I couldn't comprehend but I simply nodded. I had no other choice but to comply with whatever she wanted either way.

Being led behind them. I had no energy to fight back- actually, I was sick of fighting. They tied my arms in front of me with a thick rope. He's gone. I said to myself, even the Avatar couldn't stop this madwoman in getting her way - so how could I? After that thought, my mind was absolutely blank, not being able to think a thing. I simply looked down and kept walking.

"We've done it, Zuko. It's taken a hundred years but the Fire Nation has conquered Ba Sing Se," Azula said as she sat on the throne.

"I betrayed uncle," Zuko said.

"More like stabbed him in the back and left him to rot," I retorted. But my vision was unfocused so I stared at nothing in particular. And my mouth slightly parted, not realizing what I even said.

Aang is dead. The Avatar is dead.

"Get her to the boat," Azula ordered as they dragged me away, "Let her stay on the deck if she wishes,"

I found the strength to look back, Zuko's eyes followed me. I glared as him intensely until a chill went down his spine. I wanted to cry and scream, yet nothing would come out.

We got off the carriage as I admired the large palace. Zuko held my hand, giving it a small squeeze since they were cold. I hummed a bit in response to his gesture as we looked upon the palace.

"Many times I've imagined myself here. At the threshold of the palace," Iroh said as we walked to the entrance, "But I always thought I would be here as a conqueror, instead we are the Earth King's personal guest, here to serve him tea. Destiny is a funny thing,"

"It sure is, uncle," Zuko replied looking at me.

I smiled in agreement. Iroh had said the same to me when Zuko almost left with Azula when we were at that Fire Nation colony. It felt so long ago, like a completely different life.

>>>

We were seated at a small table infront of the Earth Kings throne, waiting for him to show up. Iroh poured tea calmly.

"Something is off," I muttered to myself, we had been waiting for a while now. Everything that would cue something being wrong was happening.

"What's taking so long?" Zuko asked.

"Maybe the Earth King over slept," Iroh replied.

I doubt that.

Dai Li agents started to enter the room and surrounded us. That's when I realized I should've listened to my instincts a long time ago. Though it was already too late to dwell on that.

"Somethings not right," Zuko whispered.

"You think?" I whispered sarcastically.

"It's tea time," We heard the familiar female voice say.

"Of course," I said, wonderful, really - it couldn't get any worse now could it?

"Azula," Zuko quickly stood up.

"Have you met the Dai Li? They're earth benders but they have a killer instinct that's so fire bender. I just love it," Azula said with a smile.

"Did I ever tell you how I got the nickname, 'The Dragon of The West'?" Iroh asked standing up still holding his tea cup.

"I'm not interested in a lengthy anecdote, uncle," Azula responded a bit annoyed.

"It's more of a demonstration really," Iroh continued.

Zuko smirked, grabbing my hand and pulling me behind after being pushed back by Iroh. Iroh gave a large breath of fire and attacked the Dai Li.

"Woah," I said in shock. It was in the name, but he really did resemble a dragon with that move.

Zuko shot at the wall creating an escape while I was distracted from astonishment. Running as the Dai Li chased closely behind us. We reached a dead end so Iroh quickly shot lightning, blowing a hole in the wall. He then jumped out. I looked back at Zuko who stopped in his tracks.

"Come on! You'll be fine!" Iroh shouted from below.

"No. I'm tired of running. It's time I faced Azula," Zuko said looking at me.

I grabbed Zuko's hand, my expression begged him to come. I wasn't afraid of Azula, but I was afraid of what she could do to Zuko's head. She was a perfect manipulator.

"I have to do this," He said, running back from where we came.

I ran behind him unfreezing the rings of water I placed on my arms. It was more convenient than carrying a waterskin under my clothes. I created water arms as we stood in front of Azula, who had the Dai Li at her side.

So much for safest city in the world, first Lake Laogai and now this?

"You should have know you two were sisters," Azula smirked at me, "I can see the resemblance,"

I stood there coldly watching her, she has Katara. My blood started to boil - forcing myself to stay composed.

"This is between us!" Zuko yelled.

"You're so dramatic. What? Are you gonna challenge me to an Agni Kai?" Azula said, now smirking to Zuko.

"Yes! I challenge you!" Zuko demanded.

"No thanks," She shrugged.

Zuko fired at the Azula, using a move based off observing my water bending. I was surprised that he learned that move but the Dai Li blocked his fire. I shot icicles at the Dai Li who were quick to block my shots. A few icicles knocked off a Dai Li agents hat, but that was the worst I manage. The Dai Li continued to try and shoot at me as I dodged their attacks. Suddenly, they shot rocks locking out feet then our hands so Zuko and I. We were stuck.

"Kya!" Zuko yelled in concern.

I looked up glaring at Azula who smirked.

She must think I'm another person who can learn to fear her.

>>>

The Dai Li opened a hole and threw us in.

"You've got company," The Dai Li said.

Zuko and I crashed onto each other. A loud grunt escaped the both of us as we slowly got up.

"Kya!" I heard Katara say as she hugged me. I groaned in pain.

"Oh right sorry," She paused to glare at Zuko.

"Why did they throw him in here?!" Katara said, pointing at Zuko who sat on the floor with his back to us.

"Katara, Zuko isn't the person he used to be," I said calmly placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Are you blind? This is a trap so that when Aang shows up to save us he can finally have him in his little Fire Nation clutches!" Katara hissed.

"He's really changed," I said but Katara pushed past my shoulder. I watched as Zuko turned but didn't say anything.

"You're a terrible person you know that?! Always following us, hunting the Avatar! Trying to capture the world's last hope for peace! But what do you care, you're the Fire Lord's son,"

"Katara," I said firmly but she ignored me.

Why does she never try to listen to me? I whined to myself.

"Spreading war and violence and hatred is in your blood," She growled.

"You don't know what you're talking about," Zuko responded.

"I don't?! How dare you! You have no idea what this war has put me through. Me personally," She crouched down on the floor turning her back to us,"The Fire Nation took my mother away from me,"

Katara started to cry. I hugged her to comfort her. None of us learned to move on from our mom's death, we just learned to ignore the pain. At least I know I did. To be Katara's older sister mean I had to remain strong for her, even at the cost of myself.

"I'm sorry," Zuko said, I looked to him as he watched us with sad eyes, "That's something we have in common,"

Zuko was trying to be honest and open up. It made me the slightest bit hopeful.

"Zuko lost his mother too," I sighed, watching her eyes as the tears stopped falling from her face.

"I'm sorry that I yelled at you before," Katara apologized, standing back up.

"It doesn't matter," Zuko said, avoiding eye contact.

"It's just that for so long now whenever I imagined the face of the enemy, it was your face," Katara added.

"My face, I see," He replied touching his scar.

"She didn't mean it like that," I said, lowering his hand with a saddened expression.

"No, I didn't, I'm sorry" Katara replied honestly. I guess she started to feel pity for him.

"It's okay. I used to think that this scar marked me. The mark of the banished prince, cursed to chase the Avatar forever. But lately, I've realized I'm free to determine my own destiny. Even if I'll never be free of my mark," He explained.

"Zuko, maybe you could be free of it," Katara said.

"What?" Zuko asked turning to us.

"We have healing abilities," Katara said.

"It's a scar, it can't be healed," He said and looked at me. That fact was true, making me sigh.

Katara held out the vile from the North Pole. My eyes widened to see she still hasn't used it yet.

"This is from the spirits," I paused, "It just might work,"

"It has special properties," Katara added, "It's the same water Kya used to heal your uncle,"