#fandom.imagine.wasteland.writes

[fandomimaginewasteland]

The Ember Island Players

Pairing: Zuko x fem!waterbender!reader

Warnings: None

Summary: You and the rest of the Gaang go to see the Ember Island Players' play that reenacts your adventures, albeit not exactly the same way that they happened for you and the others.

WC: 7,002

Note(s): Reader is the twin sister of Sokka and older sister of Katara

For the past two weeks, you and the other have all been lazing around the Firelord's old beach house on Ember Island.

Ever since you and the others had gotten to the beach house, you've found this entire situation really ironic since the Firelord as well as basically everyone else in the Fire Nation is looking for you and the others. Yet here you all are in the Firelord's own beach house that he still owns.

Since Ember Island is in the Fire Nation, as an extra precausion, you and the others all changed into your Fire Nation disguises. All of you except for Zuko of course, as he is originally from the Fire Nation.

During the time that you've been here, Zuko's been teaching Aang firebending techniques and forms while the rest of you just lounge around the house. You’re in the Fire Nation, so there isn’t much that you can do, which is so boring and dull. You have to say that doing nothing all day is very enjoyable though, especially considering how much you’ve been going through before you got here.

At the moment, Aang and Zuko are practicing their firebending in the courtyard of the house while you, Katara and Toph watch. Well, you and Katara are watching, Toph just sits there feeling the vibrations from their movements, cause you know, she’s blind.

To be completely honest, you haven’t really been watching them. In fact, you haven’t been watching Aang at all. Instead, you’ve been watching the muscles in Zuko’s bare torso ripple and tense with every movement that he makes. What? It’s not like you can really help it as HE IS SHIRTLESS right now!

Aang and Zuko finish their routine with a deep breath before bowing to each other respectfully. “Doesn't it seem kind of weird that we're hiding from the Fire Lord in his own house?” Katara asks, while looking around the courtyard.

She’s right. It is weird. Very weird.

“I told you,” Zuko says, causing you and Katara to look at him as he’s now sitting on a dry fountain and wiping his head with a towel. “my father hasn't come here since our family was actually happy. And that was a long time ago. It's the last place anyone would think to look for us.”

You frown at him just being so casual about how his family is unhappy. You may not know absolutely everything about Zuko's past with his family, but you know certain things since he's told you about certain things over the course of you knowing him.

“You guys are not gonna believe this!” Sokka’s voice exclaims as he and Suki walk into the courtyard. “There's a play about us.” “We were just in town and we found this poster!” Suki clarifies. Sokka unrolls a scroll of paper, showing you and the others the poster for the play.

Out of curiosity, you get up from your spot next to Toph and Katara to get a closer look at the poster.

It depicts you, Katara, Aang, and Sokka with Zuko's scarred face in the background.

“What? How is that possible?” Katara asks, surprised.

“Listen to this…” Sokka says as he turns the poster towards him. “’The Boy in the Iceberg is a new production from acclaimed playwright Pu-on Tim, who scoured the globe gathering information on the Avatar, from the icy South Pole to the heart of Ba Sing Se. His sources include singing nomads, pirates, prisoners of war, and a surprisingly knowledgeable merchant of cabbage.’” he reads off.

“’Brought to you by the critically acclaimed Ember Island Players.’” Suki finishes.

“Ugh!” Zuko groans out, causing you and the others to turn to him. “My mother used to take us to see them. They butchered Love Amongst the Dragons every year!”

“Sokka, do you really think it's a good idea for us to attend a play about ourselves?” Katara asks.

“Come on, a day at the theater?” Sokka asks persuasively. “This is the kind of wacky time-wasting nonsense I've been missing!” he continues as he holds up the poster anxiously and smiles sheepishly.

After you all decided that going to the theater would be fun, you all got ready to go before leaving the house when it was almost time for the play. You got to the theatre about thirty minutes before the show was supposed to start and it was crowded.

You and the others weren’t expecting this play to be this popular.

*****

Once you and the others got inside of the theater, you all decided to head up to one of the upper sections and sit there so that you could keep to ourselves. There’s two rows that the seven of you can sit on. You follow Sokka and Suki into the balcony to see Aang trying to sit next to Katara but before he can sit next to her, Zuko sits there instead. “Hey, uh... I wanted to sit there.” Aang says to Zuko, trying to act as casual as possible. Zuko removes the hood of his cloak. “Just sit next to me. What's the big deal?” “I was just, I wanted to…” Aang tries to explain, before finally giving in and sitting down next to Zuko. “okay.”

You giggle softly as you sit down next to Sokka and Suki in the second row behind Toph, Katara, Zuko and Aang.

“Why are we sitting in the nosebleed section?” Toph asks. “My feet can't see a thing from up here!” “Don't worry, I'll tell your feet what's happening.” Katara says to her, just as the curtain rises to reveal a set representative of the South Pole seas.

In the center of the stage, Actress Katara and Actor Sokka are rowing their boat along. You roll your eyes at the sight of how they look.

Sure, they probably could never get an exact look alike but really? They literally could’ve done so much better than this.

Sokka’s actor is more pale, skinnier and just all around weird looking. The only thing that actually made him look like Sokka was the hair style and the water tribe clothes that he’s wearing.

The actress that plays Katara is even worse though. She’s much more round and developed than Katara really is and her water tribe clothes are much more revealing. She also has way too much blush on her face, so much in fact that it makes her look really embarrassed.

Just from seeing them, you really don’t want to see the actress that’s going to play you…

The actress that’s playing Katara lets out a dramatic sigh that breaks you out of your thoughts. “Sokka, my only brother! We constantly roam these icy South Pole seas, and yet never do we find anything fulfilling!” “All I want is a full feeling in my stomach! I'm starving!” Actor Sokka exclaims which makes the audience laugh while Sokka and Katara’s faces fall as they look at each other, confused. “Is food the only thing on your mind?” ‘Katara’ asks him. “Well, I'm trying to get it out of my mind and into my mouth! I'm starving!” ‘Sokka’ replies which causes the audience to laugh again.

Sokka leans forward in his seat over Katara’s shoulder; clearly annoyed. “This is pathetic! My jokes are way funnier than this!” he exclaims as he extends his arm in a dramatic gesture which causes Toph to let out a laugh as she leans back in her seat with her legs crossed and her arms resting behind her. "I think he's got you pegged!"

‘Katara’ stands up in the canoe. “Every day, the world awaits a beacon to guide us, yet none appears!” She holds one hand out to the audience and the other on her heart. “Still, we cannot give up hope! For hope,” she begins to cry. “is all we have! And we must never relinquish it, even…” she sniffs and falls back into a string position. “even to our dying breath!” with those final words, she leans over the side of the canoe and buries her face in her hands, crying.

At the actresses’ words, you, Sokka, Suki, and Toph find yourselves snickering. “Well, that’s just silly. I don’t sound like that.” Katara says with crossed arms, displeased. “Oh man! This writer's a genius!” Toph exclaims, elated.

Actress Katara is still slumped over the side of the canoe crying when an iridescent light suddenly appears from above. She and ‘Sokka’ turn towards the light, looking shocked.

A model iceberg slides onto the stage behind the continue, the vague shadow of a figure visible from behind.

The two actors stand up in the canoe. “It appears to be someone frozen in ice, perhaps for a hundred years.” ‘Katara’ says. “But who? Who is the boy in the iceberg?” ‘Sokka’ asks.

As you watch the scene continue you see Aang smile as he leans forward in his seat, clearly excited to see what his actor looks like.

‘Katara’ and ‘Sokka’ climb up to the top of the model iceberg to stand before the silhouetted figure. “Waterbend! Hi-yah!” ‘Katara’ slices her hand down and “ice” breaks in half. Fog comes out before ‘Aang’ jumps out from behind the iceberg in front of ‘Katara’ and ‘Sokka’.

I have to stifle a laugh at the sight of ‘Aang’ because it’s actually a woman playing Aang.

“Who are you, frozen boy?” ‘Katara’ asks ‘Aang’.

‘Aang’ giggles and points to himself. “I'm the Avatar, silly, here to spread joy and fun!”

“Wait, is that a woman playing me?” Aang asks in disappointment.

Before you or any of the others can reply to his question, a crude, costumed-version of Appa suddenly bursts up from behind the trio of actors. The replica of Appa sways from side to side before leaping off the iceberg prop and running around the stage.

‘Katara’ gasps out in surprise. “An airbender!” She then clasps her hands to her chest. “My heart is so full of hope, that it's making me tearbend!” she continues as she begins to cry and grab onto ‘Aang’s’ leg.

“My stomach is so empty, that it's making me tearbend!” ‘Sokka’ exclaims as he throws his arms up hopelessly before dropping to his knees, clutching onto Actress Aang's other leg, and crying. “I need meat!”

At ‘Sokka’s’ words ‘Aang’ stoops down, puts her arm around Actor Sokka’s shoulders, and points upward. “But wait! Is that a platter of meaty dumplings?” At her question, ‘Sokka’ quickly leans away from ‘Aang’ looking around excitedly; shielding his eyes with his hand, turning his head, searching for the alleged dumplings. “Ooh, where, where?” At his reaction, ‘Aang’ laughs and swings her arms around jovially. “Did I mention that I'm an incurable prankster?” she asks as she crosses her legs as the audience laughs.

“I don't do that! That's not what I'm like! And I'm not a woman!” Aang exclaims as he extends his arm toward the stage, angry with the actress’ bad portrayal of him.

“Oh, they nailed you, Twinkle Toes!” Toph laughs.

The scene changes and a boat with the Iroh and Zuko actors standing on it appears.

A stifled giggle escapes your mouth at the sight of Zuko’s actor as he’s wearing a replica of Zuko’s old Fire Nation armor with his long ponytail.

Not only that, but his scar is on the wrong side of his face.

“Prince Zuko, you must try this cake!” ‘Iroh’ says as he holds up a plate with a whole cake with one slice missing on it. “I don’t have time to stuff my face!” ‘Zuko’ exclaims determinedly. He then lowers his telescope and turns to Actor Iroh. “I must capture the Avatar to regain my honor!” “Well, while you do that, maybe I'll capture another slice.” ‘Iroh’ replies as he holds the cake up higher before bringing it towards his face and proceeding to gobble it down ravenously and noisily. ‘Zuko’ turns away from ‘Iroh’ in disgust. “You sicken me!”

“They make me look totally stiff and humorless.” Zuko complains while he gestures toward the stage. “Actually, I think that actor's pretty spot on.” Katara replies, complacently amused which makes you snicker. “How could you say that?” Zuko asks her in protest.

You’re about to say something to rile Zuko up even more but Actor Iroh’s voice echoing through the theatre stops you from doing so. “Let's forget about the Avatar and get massages!”

Actor Zuko turns towards his uncle, leaning forward menacingly as he shouts. “How could you say that?!”

You look down at Zuko and Katara to see Katara smiling at Zuko smugly as he slumps down in his seat, defeated and dismayed to find her claim accurate.

“Awe~ Zuzu~.” you coo as you lean up and over the back of his seat, putting my chin onto his shoulder. “Shut up (Y/N).” he groans as the others and you snicker at his displeased face.

The scene changes again and this time it’s a display of what looks like a small village in the South Pole. As the scene changes a figure in a thick parka steps out onto the stage.

“Dear sister!” ‘Katara’ exclaims which causes you to perk up knowing that the figure is supposed to be you.

“It’s about time you 2 showed up.” the figure in the parka asks as they pull the parka off.

As soon as you see her face, your nose scrunches up in disgust.

“Look, sis, it’s the Avatar!” ‘Sokka’ grins gesturing to ‘Aang’.

You don’t even pay attention to what the actress playing you says about meeting ‘Aang’, in fact, all you can focus on is her appearance.

Her (hair colored) hair is in a messy braid that goes down her back.

She’s extremely skinny, it almost looks unnatural.

She’s also wearing a lot more makeup and a dress that reveals a lot more skin then ‘Katara’ is.

****

The next scene was when Zuko came to your village and captured Aang, planning to bring him to his father to regain his honor as well as when you got captured and taken prisoner on his ship.

The only thing that really made you focus on that scene of the play was how the actress playing you had literal heart eyes any time Zuko was talking to her.

“Oh please.” you hiss with a roll of your eyes, since you know, for a fact, that you and Zuko didn’t start forming feelings for each other until after Zuko saved you and Aang from Zhao as the Blue Spirit.

****

The next scene with ‘Aang’, ‘Katara’ and ‘Sokka’ is when they’re at the Southern Air Temple. The actress playing Aang looks around the stage before noticing a tail prop moving behind a bush prop. 

“Hey look, I think I found something!” she exclaims before she tiptoes to the bush.

A moment later, actress Aang takes out a hand puppet that doesn’t even look like Momo, placing it on her shoulder.

“It's a flying rabbit-monkey! I think I'll name him, Momo!” She laughs. “Hi everybody, I love you!” she continues while using the puppet and making the audience laugh.

****

The next scene is of what had happened when your siblings and Aang met Suki on Kyoshi Island.

To be completely honest, you couldn’t help but laugh when you saw actor Sokka in the Kyoshi Warriors’ uniform.

“Does this dress make my butt look fat?” ‘Sokka’ asks as he points at his backside.

Not only does the whole audience laugh at that, but both you and Suki laugh too which leads to Sokka giving you and Suki an embarrassed look as he blushes.

After seeing a reenactment of what happened when your siblings and Aang first met King Bumi in Omashu, it cuts to when you, Aang and your siblings met the pirates.

Our actors and actresses are currently standing center stage when the pirates enter the stage from both sides, holding weapons in the air before they attack them.

The four players slip away, with actress Katara holding a large scroll, tiptoeing away from the pirates.

“Why did you have to steal that waterbending scroll?” Both you and Sokka’s actors ask ‘Katara’ at the same time. “It just gave me so much hope!” ‘Katara’ replies while crying and clutching the scroll even tighter to her chest.

****

Next is a scene where both actresses playing you and Aang are tied on two separate platforms guarded by six Fire Nation soldiers.

“The Avatar and the last waterbender from The Southern Water Tribe are mine!” ‘Zuko’ exclaims. He looks off stage. “Wait, who's coming?”

Suddenly a figure with a giant Blue Spirit mask on, jumps on stage holding two swords. “I'm the Blue Spirit, the scourge of the Fire Nation, here to save the Avatar and the last waterbender of the Southern Water Tribe!”

The Blue Spirit walks across the stage waving his swords. The guards fall down and Actor Zuko runs around the platform before he throws a red strip of paper to symbolize firebending.

The Blue Spirit points a sword at Actor Zuko, who runs away.

“Our hero!” ‘you’ and ‘Aang’ exclaim as they both jump on top of the Blue Spirit's large mask before the Blue Spirit walks off stage.

“Ugh!” you groan out in frustration.

Time went on and we’re at the point in the play where you and the others were in the North Pole.

“Don’t go, Yue! You’re the only woman who has taken my mind off of food!” ‘Sokka’ says before he kisses Yue for a moment before letting go and gagging. “Wait, did you have pickled fish for dinner?” he asks her. “Goodbye, Sokka! I have important moon duties to take care of!” ‘Yue’ says as a moon prop that she’s currently sitting on starts to rise up. “And yes, I did have pickled fish!” she says, answering ‘Sokka’s’ question before disappearing above the stage.

“You never told me you made out with a Moon Spirit.” Suki says from Sokka’s other side. In reply to her words, Sokka places a finger over her lips. “Shhh!” “I’m trying to watch!” Sokka says tearing up. Suki, disgusted by Sokka’s act, looks away from him, folding her arms over her chest.

*****

The next scene is of actress Aang, wearing a Koizilla costume, as tiny Fire Nation ships are being pulled across the stage by ropes. Actress Aang in the Koizilla costume stomps on them as she waves a doll of Zhao.

*Laughs* “The Avatar is back to save the day! Yay!” she cheers as she stomps three more ships before tripping over her Koizilla costume and falling just as the curtain drops, signaling the end of act one of the play.

The audience cheers and Toph laughs while you and the others all groan in disgust.

It’s now the intermission and you and the others are currently sitting on a flight of stairs outside of the theatre.

“So far, this intermission is the best part of the play.” Zuko says as he leans against the railing.

*Hmph* “I’ll say.” you agree as you sit on the railing next to him.

“Apparently, the playwright thinks I'm an idiot who tells bad jokes about meat all the time!” Sokka exclaims irritably as he walks down the stairs holding a bag of flaming fire flakes and sits next to Suki.

“Yeah, you tell bad jokes about plenty of other topics.” Suki replies with a hint of sarcasm.

“I know!” Sokka exclaims as he eats a fire flake.

“At least the Sokka actor kind of looks like you.” Aang says angrily which makes Sokka turn to him while Suki gleefully smiles. “That woman playing the Avatar doesn't resemble me at all!”

“I don't know, you are more in touch with your feminine side than most guys.” Toph replies.

Aang stands up from the stairs angrily. “Argh!”

“Relax, Aang.” Katara says, causing you, Sokka, Suki, Toph, Zuko and Aang to turn to her. “They're not accurate portrayals. It's not like I'm a preachy crybaby who can't resist giving over emotional speeches about hope all the time.”

Nobody says anything to her about her comment.

“What?” she asks.

Aang turns around and sits back down on the stairs. “Yeah, that's not you at all.”

“Listen friends, it's obvious that the playwright did his research. I know it must hurt, but what you're seeing up there on that stage is the truth.” Toph says.

She does have a point. The playwright did do his research, but this play is just terrible. Not to mention, you are not that rude and mean to your siblings, or anyone that you know for that matter!

“Well, here we are in the Earth Kingdom!” ‘Katara’ sang out. “I'd better have a look around to see if I can find an earthbending teacher!” ‘Aang’ says as she opens up her miniature air glider prop and jumps into the air, a cable lifting her up.

“This is it, this must be where I come in!” Toph says, sounding really excited. 

Actress Aang flies around the theater, over the audience, and returns to the stage. “I flew all over town, but I couldn't find a single earthbending master!” she says as she looks out towards the crowd.

“Here it comes…” you hear Toph say joyfully.

“You can't find an earthbending master in the sky,” A tall, buff man says as he enters the stage from a trapdoor beneath a rock prop. “you have to look underground!” he continues as he throws the prop over to the side.

At the sight of him, you, Aang, Sokka, Suki, and Katara laugh while Zuko looks up from the piece of paper he holds in stunned silence.

“Who are you?” Actress Aang asks.

The man spits to the side before smirking. “My name's Toph,” He the flexes his muscles. “because it sounds like tough, and that's just what I am!” he finishes, which makes the audience laugh.

“Wait a minute,” Toph says as she picks at her ear with her pinky. “I sound like a guy. A really buff guy.”

“Well Toph, what you hear up there is the truth. It hurts, doesn't it?” Katara asks, throwing what Toph had said to us about the play and the actors playing us earlier back at her.

“Are you kidding me? I wouldn't have cast it any other way!” Toph exclaims. She laughs. “At least it's not a flying bald lady!”

“So, you're blind?” ‘Aang’ asks as she waves her hand over the guy playing Toph’s face.

Actor Toph laughs at the action. “I can see you doing that. I see everything that you see, except I don't "see" like you do. I release a sonic wave from my mouth.” He turns to the trio and screams loudly in their faces.

You hold your ears in pain from how loud his scream is.

“There. I got a pretty good look at you.”

You watch as a spotlight rises over the stage only to reveal the actors playing Zuko and Iroh. Only this time, Zuko’s hair is not in the ponytail like it was earlier in the play.

You cover your mouth with your hand to stifle your laughter at the sight of him which causes Zuko to turn around and glare at me.

“Zuko, it's time we had a talk…” ‘Iroh’ says as he points at ‘Zuko’. “about your hair, it's gone too far!”

“Maybe it's best if we... split... up!” ‘Zuko’ says before he and ‘Iroh’ walk away from each other.

The play continues as the actors and actresses act out our adventures in the Earth Kingdom.

You watch as actor Jet acts all crazy after putting on googly eyes.

“No, Jet! What did they do to you?” Actress Aang asks.

“Must... serve... Earth King!” ‘Jet’ as he begins to swing his hook hands wildly, almost hitting actress Aang and Actor Sokka. “Must... destroy!”

A hollow rock prop then begins to float down onto the stage.

Actor Jet falls down so that he lands underneath the prop and crawls all the way under it.

You tilt your head in confusion. ‘What just happened?’

“Did Jet just... die?” Zuko asks, clearly confused as well.

“You know, it was really unclear.” Sokka replies with a shrug.

“Yeah, I’ll say.” you agree with a nod as you're confused about what had just happened on stage.

That was certainly weird to watch.

****

The scene changes to the crystal catacombs where Katara and Zuko are alone.

You have to admit that you’ve been somewhat curious as to what happened between Katara and Zuko when they were in the catacombs together even if both of them (more specifically Katara) have told you what had happened between them.

“I have to admit Prince Zuko, I really find you attractive!” ‘Katara’ says.

“You don't have to make fun of me.” ‘Zuko’ says to her from his spot on a rock prop with his arms and legs crossed.

“But I mean it!” ‘Katara’ replies as she sits down with actor Zuko. “I've had eyes for you since the day you first captured me!”

You raise an eyebrow at what’s happening on stage in front of you. Surely this didn’t happen when Katara and Zuko were alone in the catacombs together, especially with how Katara acted towards Zuko when he first joined you all.

Actor Zuko stands up. “Wait, I thought you were the Avatar's girl!”

“The Avatar?” ‘Katara’ laughs as she stands up and starts walking toward actor Zuko. “Why, he's like a little brother to me! *Laughs* I certainly don't think of him in a romantic way.”

You squint your eyes at the actors with a deep frown on your face.

“Besides, how could he ever find out about... this?” ‘Katara’ asks as she and ‘Zuko’ embrace, holding hands while actress Katara pops up one leg.

You scoff and cross your arms over your chest, looking away from the stage in disgust.

As you do this, you see Aang getting up from his spot in front of you.

“Oh, you're getting up?” Sokka whispers. “Can you get me some fire flakes?” he asks him as he leaves before he puts his arm around Suki who leans into his side. “Ooh, and fire gummies!” he says while leaning over you so that Aang can still hear him.

As he puts his arm back around Suki, both of you looking at him slightly annoyed.

****

The next part of the play is when Zuko betrayed Iroh and went with Azula. Your actress is on stage as well, looking at ‘Zuko’ with a worried expression on her face.

“Well, my brother, what's it going to be? Your nation, or a life of treachery?” ‘Azula’ asks. 

‘Iroh’ stops drinking from the cup in his hands and says; “Choose treachery, it's more fun!”

Actor Zuko walks toward Actor Iroh and the actress that’s playing you.

“No way!” ‘Azula’ exclaims.

Actor Zuko pushes Actor Iroh over and walking over to ‘Azula’. “I hate you, Uncle! You smell, and I hate you for all time!” ‘Zuko’ exclaims.

At his words your actress falls to her knees sobbing like crazy as the Earth Kingdom flag falls on actor Iroh and your actress as actress Azula and actor Zuko exit.

A tear falls down your cheek at the memory of that night in the catacombs. The night that your life changed forever…

“You didn't really say that, did you?” you hear Katara ask as she looks at Zuko who’s leaning on the balcony railing, his chin laying on his forearms. “I might as well have…” Zuko replies as he turns his head away from the stage, a frown coming to his face at the memory.

Seeing the sad expression on his face, you get up from your seat and take the seat next to him, placing your hand on his shoulder. At your touch, Zuko sits up and wraps his arm around your shoulders, causing you to lean into him, a smile coming to your face as you turn your attention back to the stage.

You watch as the actresses playing Mai and Tylee take out the Earth King’s guards. And let’s just say, the way that they acted it out is not realistic at all.

After Tylee and Mai pose and the audience applauds, actress Aang jumps in from behind the set, landing in front of actress Mai and actress Tylee.

“Avatar State, yip yip!” ‘Aang’ exclaims as the lights on the stage go out causing her tattoos and eyelids to glow as a stagehand then runs across the stage and ties a rope to her.

‘Aang’ closes her eyes while the rope lifts her into the air.

A moment later, actress Azula jumps on stage from behind the smoke. “Not if my lightning can help it!” she exclaims as she throws a blue streamer at actress Aang.

Actress Aang grabs the blue stream and starts to shake and scream, feigning pain before she goes limp.

Actress Aang's limp body is slowly lowered to the stage and actresses Ty Lee and Mai pose on both sides of actress Azula, who stands in front of Actress Aang. “The Avatar is no more!” ‘Azula’ exclaims to the crowd, making the audience cheer and applaud loudly while the others and I look at the stage and actors in disgust.

During the second intermission, you sit on the floor next to Zuko, your arms crossed over your chest as you lean your head on his shoulder, still trying to comfort him in some sort of way since you know that this play is bringing back memories of what had happened between him and Iroh back in Ba Sing Se.

“It seems like every time there's a big battle, you guys barely make it out alive. I mean, you guys lose a lot!” Suki says from her spot next to you as she turns to Sokka.

“You're one to talk, Suki. Didn't Azula take you captive?” Sokka asks her rhetorically. “That's right, she did!” he exclaims while leaning in close to her face.

Suki gives Sokka a serious look. “Are you trying to get on my bad side?”

Sokka leans away from her, raises his arms up in defense. “I'm just saying…”

“Does anyone know where Aang is?” Katara asks you and the others.

“He left to get me fire gummies, like, ten minutes ago. And I'm still waiting!” Sokka replies.

Katara looks down at you and you shrug, not knowing where Aang went, all you know is that he left and didn’t come back into the theater when the second intermission started.

Katara turns. “I'm gonna check outside.”

She walks towards the balcony we were on for the first intermission, to see if Aang’s there.

******

You continue sitting on the floor next to Zuko who’s sulking even more than usual, just ignoring everything that’s going on around you.

You’re actually too zoned out to even notice Suki and Sokka leaving.

“Geez, everyone's getting so upset about their characters. Even you two seem more down than usual, and that's saying something!” Toph says, referring to you and Zuko.

“You don't get it, it's different for you. You get a muscly version of yourself, taking down ten bad guys at once, and making sassy remarks.” Zuko replies. He’s right. The actor that plays Toph is actually a good match for her, whereas the rest of you… not so much…

“Yeah, that's pretty great!” Toph smiles, breaking you out of your thoughts.

“But for me, it takes all the mistakes I've made in my life, and shoves them back in my face.” Zuko says. “My uncle, he's always been on my side, even when things were bad. He was there for me, he taught me so much, and how do I repay him? With a knife in his back. It's my greatest regret, and I may never get to redeem myself.”

You’re about to reassure him that he has redeemed himself to Iroh because he’s here with you and the others, but Toph beats you to it. “You have redeemed yourself to your uncle.” she says to him as she sits down on the other side of him. “You don't realize it, but you already have.”

“How do you know?” Zuko asks her.

“Because I once had a long conversation with the guy, and all he would talk about was you.” Toph answers.

Zuko pulls his hood down. “Really?”

“Yeah, and it was kind of annoying.” Toph answers.

“Oh, sorry.” Zuko apologizes.

“But it was also very sweet.” Toph reassures him. “All your uncle wanted was for you to find your own path, and see the light. Now you're here with us. He'd be proud.”

Zuko looks at you as she says this and you give him a smile along with a nod.

That’s when Toph punches Zuko on the shoulder, causing Zuko to bump into you, almost knocking you over.

“Ow! What was that for?” Zuko asks her while you just silently glare at the blind earthbender for doing that.

“That's how I show affection.” Toph responds with a small smile.

“And this,” you begin while cupping Zuko’s cheek in your hand, bringing his head closer to you. “is how I show affection.” you smile before pressing a quick kiss to his cheek, causing his cheeks to turn pink.

Before Zuko can even say anything about what you just did, a small boy in an Aang costume comes by and stops right in front of Zuko. “Your Zuko costume's pretty good, but your scar's on the wrong side.” he says to Zuko before running off. 

Zuko leans off of the wall in anger. “The scar's not on the wrong side!” he exclaims after the boy before leaning back on the wall again, covering his head and face with his hood as you and Toph both giggle at what had just happened.

The third act starts up after the second intermission and you and the others troop back into the theatre. By this point, you’re not even into the play anymore… You just sit next to Zuko with your head on his shoulder and his arm around your shoulders, keeping you close to him.

You’ve been staring at the stage blankly, not really paying attention to what’s happening on stage.

“Here's what you missed... we went to the Fire Nation, and you got better, and Katara was the Painted Lady, and I got a sword, and I think Combustion Man died.” you hear Sokka list off and you assume that Aang has come back inside and sat down next to him and Suki behind you. “Oh, look, the Invasion's about to start! Shhh!” he shhh’s and you start paying attention to the play again, even though you really don’t want too…

“I just wanted to let you know, Aang, that I'll always love you. Like a brother.” Actress Katara says to actress Aang as they both stand on a submarine prop. Actress Aang punches the air as she smiles at her. “I wouldn't want it any other way!”

The two of them shake hands and then actress Aang opens his miniature glider and flies up via a rope.

“Hey Toph, would you say you and Aang have a "rocky relationship"?” ‘Sokka’ asks ‘Toph’ which makes the audience laugh.

You jump in your seat as you hear Sokka laughing hysterically behind you. “I told him to say that!” he says as you turn to glare at him as he lifts Aang’s hat from his head.

You roll your eyes at your brother as you sit normally again with Zuko’s arm going around your shoulders again.

“I hope everyone's ready for the Invasion! Slap-a-pow!” Actor Sokka exclaims, causing the audience and Sokka to laugh once again.

*******

The curtain rises and the stage is set up to look like the inside of the Royal Palace.

Actress and actor you, Katara, Toph, and Sokka enter from the sides of the stage, while actress Aang is dropped from above the stage.

“We finally made it to the Royal Palace, but no one's home!” Actress Aang says to the other actresses and actors.

That’s when a figure comes onto the stage from stage right, causing the other actors to get into their battle stances.

You chuckle at the sight of actor Zuko’s hair as it’s all slicked back and spiky.

“Actually, I'm home, and I want to join you!” Actor Zuko says.

Actor Sokka lowers his boomerang. “I guess we have no choice. Come on!”

And with that all of them exit the stage.

“I guess that's it. The play's caught up to the present now.” Sokka says from behind you. “Wait, the play's not over!” Suki says to him. “But it is over, unless…” Sokka begins. “this is the future.” he finishes dramatically which makes you roll your eyes.

****

The stage is dark for a moment before Actor Ozai steps onto the stage, standing on the Royal Palace prop, an orange lantern held by a small cable with paper flames slowly moving across the stage behind him. “With the energy harnessed from that comet, no one will be able to stop… the Fire Nation!” he exclaims as he raises his arms into the air.

Actress Azula then comes onto the stage and kneels before him. “Father, Zuko and the Avatar are at the Palace. They're trying to stop you!” she says to him. “You take care of Zuko. I shall face the Avatar myself!” ‘Ozai’ exclaims before he disappears behind a smokescreen.

Actor Zuko and your actress jump onto the stage as actress Aang lowers down onto the stage by the rope, connected to her back.

“Aang! You find the Fire Lord, I'll hold her off!” ‘Zuko’ says and the cable lifts actress Aang off stage. “No Zuko, you can’t face Azula on your own!” your actress exclaims as she clutches on ‘Zuko’s’ arm desperately. “I have to (Y/N)! Not only for my honor,” ‘Zuko’ begins as he pulls your actress closer to him. “but for you as well.” he continues before he crashes his lips against hers in a deep kiss.

You turn your head over to Zuko, a deep blush on your cheeks, only to see him already looking at you, a deep blush on his cheeks as well.

“Ugh!” you hear actress Azula groan out in disgust, causing you to turn back to the stage.

You see your actress and actor Zuko pulling away from each other, looking at actress Azula.

“You are no longer my brother. You are an enemy!” ‘Azula’ exclaims angrily.

“No! I am the rightful heir to the throne!” ‘Zuko’ exclaims back as your actress runs off the stage.

“We'll see!” Actress Azula grins evilly as she pulls out her blue streamer, snapping it at ‘Zuko’ who ducks out of the way.

The two actors exchange blows for a few more moments before actress Azula raises her hand not holding the blue streamer. Five red paper resembling flames shoot from the ground starting at actress Azula, the last one covering actor Zuko so that only his silhouette can be seen.

“Honor!” ‘Zuko’ exclaims before he drops off stage through a trapdoor with the flames.

Once actor Zuko disappears under the stage, actress Azula turns to the audience and bows, causing the audience to cheer.

Your eyes are wide in worry as you look up at Zuko, who looks just as worried as you are as he looks down at the stage.

*****

After convincing yourself that this is just a play, and the playwright is just ending the play to where the Fire Nation wins the war, you turn back to the stage to see actress Aang walking across the stage, looking around.

“So, you have mastered all four elements?” Actor Ozai asks as a spotlight reveals him to her. “Yeah, and now you're going down!” Actress Aang exclaims as she points her staff prop at him.

“No! It is you who are going down!” Actor Ozai grins. He stands up from the throne that he was sitting in. “You see, you are too late! The comet is already here, and I'm unstoppable!” he yells, causing actress Aang to look at the audience in concern.

Actor Ozai wields two red streamers and he attacks actress Aang, who jumps out of the way.

Actress Aang turns back to actor Ozai and opens her glider, which now has two small blue banners pop out.

The two of them continue to exchange blows until actress Aang lands after jumping over actor Ozai when actor Ozai sends a large red sheet painted as fire at her.

Actress Aang becomes wrapped in the fire blanket. “Noooo...!” she exclaims as she falls to the stage with her eyes closed.

Actress Azula enters on stage behind actor Ozai. “It is over, Father. We've done it!” she grins triumphantly.

“Yes! We have done it!” Actor Ozai agrees, an evil grin on his face. “The dreams of my father, and my father's father, have now been realized!” He continues as large fire sheets rise behind him and a platform lifts him up. A Fire Nation flag drops behind him a second later. “The world... is... mine!”

You watch as the rest of the audience give the play a standing ovation, all the while you and the others stare at the stage concerned by the events portrayed on stage.

When it’s finally time to exit the theatre, you and the others don’t hesitate to leave, happy to leave and go back to the beach house.

You and Zuko walk side by side in front of everyone else.

“That... wasn't a good play.” Zuko says, breaking the tense silence as you all walk down the road toward the beach.

You nod in agreement to Zuko’s statement. “I'll say.” 

“No kidding.”

“Horrible.”

“You said it.”

The others agree as well, the only one to not say anything being Sokka as he says: “But the effects were decent.”

You sigh with a roll of your eyes. Trust Sokka to think of something positive out of all this.

[fandomimaginewasteland]

Agni Kai: Zuko vs. Zhao

Alternate firebender!reader version *COMING SOON!*

Pairing: Prince Zuko x waterbender!reader

Warnings: None

Summary: You are Zuko's prisoner and have been since he had captured you after you, Katara and Sokka had went after him to rescue Aang on Appa. After stopping for repairs you meet Commander Zhao who Zuko challenges to an Agni Kai in which you are the prize. If Zuko wins, you keep being his prisoner. If Zhao wins, well... you really don't want to find out...

WC: 2,658

You bang your fist against the metal wall of the ship for what feels like the millionth time out of frustration.

You shouldn't be on this ship.

You should be with Katara, Sokka and Aang.

It's been a whole week since you've seen your friends and had been made a prisoner on Prince Zuko's ship as he chases Aang.

You genuinely hope that the 3 of them are safe and staying out of trouble as Zuko has been relentless in interrogating you to find out where their going.

You, of course, know that their going to the North Pole so that Aang can master waterbending as he is the Avatar. Zuko doesn't need to know that though, so you haven't told him anything. You’ve even met Zuko’s uncle Iroh. He’s a kind and very wise old man and you like it when he comes down to your cell with a kettle of tea for you.

The ship jolting to a stop breaks you out of your thoughts and you immediately want to know where the ship has stopped and whether or not it's because of Aang, Katara and Sokka. You patiently wait for Zuko or even Iroh to come down to the brig to interrogate you again or even bring Aang, Katara and Sokka down into the other cell that's next to yours.

For about 20 minutes it's silent, that is until you hear multiple pairs of footsteps coming down the hallway outside towards your cell.

Now, normally, when anyone is coming down here to see you, it’s just Zuko, Iroh, or a guard that brings down your tray of food, so it’s surprising for you to hear that many footsteps out in the hall.

The door opens and the guard that was stationed outside of my cell enters before stepping aside revealing a soldier that appears to be his superior. “It seems that the crew was right, Prince Zuko does have a waterbender girl as a prisoner.”

You glare at the soldiers intensely as they smirk smugly at each other.

"Let's bring her to General Zhao." the superior says to the guard that was stationed in front of your cell.

The guard nods in reply before opening the cell door and roughly grabbing you by the arm.

You let out a grunt as he leads you off of Zuko's ship and in front of a large tent where you hear Zuko talking to someone inside.

“Come on, Uncle, we’re going.” you hear him say as the soldier leading me to the tent stops in front of the flaps.

There’s the sound of metal scraping against metal and one of the men around you enters the tent. “Commander Zhao, we interrogated the crew as you instructed. They confirmed Prince Zuko had the Avatar in custody, but let him escape.” you hear him say. “Now, remind me… how, exactly, was your ship damaged?” another man. who you assume is General Zhao, asks and from what it sounds like, he’s talking directly to Zuko. “There’s something else too, sir.” the guard tells Zhao as the guard holding you leads you into the tent. “We found this water tribe girl in the prison hold of the ship. We found out that she’s a waterbender when the crew told us about her.” the guard says, making me glare at the ground angrily. “Is that so?” I hear Zhao ask, making me look up at him with an intense glare. “The last waterbender of the Southern Water Tribe. I had thought the fire nation wiped out the waterbenders from the Southern Tribe a long time ago.” “But it appears, we did not.” he continues with a sinister smirk on his face.

You grit your teeth in utter anger at his statement about how the Fire Nation literally wiped out all of the waterbenders in the Southern Tribe and struggle against the guard holding you, wanting to give him a piece of your mind but he turns away from you and towards the scarred Prince again before you can say or do anything.

As Zhao makes Zuko tell him what had happened with Aang, you’re shoved into the chair next to the chair that Zuko’s currently sitting in. Zuko currently has a tight grip on your arm, obviously silently telling you not to move or else. Not that you were going to move anyway. Zuko had just finished telling the real story of how he had Aang in his custody and how Aang had escaped with my siblings. “So, a twelve-year-old boy and his waterbender friend bested you and your firebenders?” Zhao asks. “You're more pathetic than I thought.”

“I underestimated him once, but it will not happen again.” Zuko replies, his grip on your arm loosening for a split second before it tightens again. “No, it will not, because you won't have a second chance.” Zhao replies back.

In the corner of your eye, you see Zuko look alarmed at Zhao’s words. “Commander Zhao, I've been hunting the Avatar for two years and I-.” he starts but Zhao turns to him angrily, flames erupting from his hand as he sweeps it an arc from left to right. “And you failed! Capturing the Avatar is too important to leave in a teenager's hands. He's mine now.”

At Zhao’s words Zuko launches himself at Zhao in both frustration and anger; but before he can reach him, he’s restrained by the guards behind our chairs.

“Keep them here.” Zhao orders his men before turning to leave the tent. Before he fully leaves the tent fully though, Zhao turns his head towards you, causing you to glare at him intensely, not wanting him to see that you're the slightest bit afraid of him.

At your death glare, Zhao smirks wickedly before finally leaving the tent, leaving you, Zuko and Iroh with the guards that are keeping the three of you inside.

After staring at the tent’s entrance for a moment, you look down at the ground in anger at Zhao for looking at you like you were a piece of meat. You let out a huff. Zhao might think that you’re some defenseless girl who happens to be a waterbender from the southern Water Tribe, but you’re not. You were trained to become an elite warrior by your dad before he left, so even without your bending, you’re a force to be reckoned with.

Your thoughts are broken when you hear the sound of something breaking. You look up to see the table that Iroh is sitting by on the ground in pieces, assumingly by Zuko’s foot smashing into it in anger and frustration. “More tea please!” Iroh says calmly, as if Zuko didn’t just break the table and spill his tea. You let a small smile show on my face at Iroh’s comment before your eyes meet Zuko’s who’s currently staring at you intensely, a mixture of anger, frustration and sincerity in his eyes. You give him a small silent nod in reply before looking back down at the floor, letting your thoughts consume you again.

You don’t really know how long it’s been since Zhao left, but to you it feels like an eternity has passed by before he enters the tent again. “My search party is ready.” he says to Zuko, his voice filled with pride. “Once I’m out to sea, my guards will escort you back to your ship and you’ll be free to go.” “Why?" Zuko asks him, irritably. "Are you worried I’m going to try and stop you?” Zhao laughs sarcastically at that. “You? Stop me? Impossible.”

Zuko gets to his feet in defiance. “Don’t underestimate me Zhao. I will capture the Avatar before you.” “Prince Zuko, that is enough!” Iroh exclaims towards Zuko, clearly wanting him to not say anything he might regret later. “You can’t compete with me. I have hundreds of warships under my command, and you... you're just a banished prince.” Zhao says to Zuko. “No home. No allies. Your own father doesn't even want you.”

Your eyes widen at Zhao’s statement about Zuko being a banished prince. Before you can wonder as to why Zuko was banished, Zuko defends himself. “You're wrong. Once I deliver the Avatar to my father he will welcome me home with honor and restore my rightful place on the throne.” “If your father really wanted you home, he'd have let you return by now, Avatar or no Avatar, but in his eyes you are a failure and a disgrace to the fire nation.” Zhao says back.

Now you feel bad for ever thinking that the only reason that Zuko was hunting Aang down was just because his father sent him out to look for the Avatar and bring him back to the fire nation. “That's not true.” Zuko replies, a little lamely. “You have the scar to prove it.” Zhao replies. With a cry of indignation, Zuko launches to his feet, bringing his face within inches of Zhao’s. “Maybe you'd like one to match!” “Is that a challenge?” Zhao growls back at him. “An agni kai. At sunset.” Zuko states firmly, glaring up at Zhao. “Very well. It's a shame your father won't be here to watch me humiliate you.” Zhao states, smugly, agreeing to Zuko’s challenge. “I guess your uncle will do.” he continues as he starts to walk out of the tent.

Just before Zhao walks out of the tent, he stops and turns to face Zuko again, a smug smirk on his face. “And whoever is the winner of this Agni Kai, gets to keep the waterbender.” Zhao saying this causes your throat to get stuck in your throat. In a nutshell, you’re a prize for whoever wins the agni kai… You should be honored, but in this circumstance, it’s either be Zuko's prisoner like you have been for the last week or Zhao’s slave. Neither of which you’d enjoy very much, but being Zuko’s prisoner would be a lot easier, considering he hasn’t done anything to hurt you. 

“Prince Zuko,” Iroh’s voice says, breaking you out of your thoughts, causing you to turn to him and Zuko. “have you forgotten what happened last time you dueled a master?” You can tell that Iroh’s concerned about Zuko doing this, which you can definitely understand as to why, but you just know the whole story as to why he’s so worried about it… “I will never forget.” Zuko replies softly.

It’s nearly sunset now, which is the time for Zuko’s Agni-Kai against Commander Zhao. To say that you’re very nervous about the outcome of this Agni-Kai is a major understatement! You are completely and utterly terrified, for if Zhao wins and Zuko loses… Well…, you don’t even want to know what he would do to you once you’re in his custody… But if Zuko wins and Zhao loses, you just know that he'd just treat you like a prisoner and continue to ask you where Aang, Katara and Sokka are headed.

“Remember your firebending basics, Prince Zuko. They are your greatest weapons.” Iroh says to Zuko who’s kneeling on the ground in front of you and Iroh, a cloth draped over his shoulders. Zuko gets up from his spot on the ground, causing the cloth to fall to the ground ceremoniously, revealing his bare chest, causing your eyes to linger on his chest for a second before averting your gaze away, not wanting Zuko to see you staring at his chest. “I refuse to let him win.” Zuko says confidently, his eyes meeting yours for a split second before he turns around fully, getting into a firebending stance.

As he does this, you see Zhao at the other side of the arena, with 4 of his men standing behind him, getting into his own firebending stance just as the gong sounds. Zuko fires the first shot which passes by Zhao’s left. Zuko fires several more shots, the last of which Zhao blocks easily, his satisfaction evident on his smug face.

This, of course, frustrates Zuko as he loses control of his breathing as he moves towards Zhao, unleashing more flames from both his hands and feet. Zhao dodges and blocks all of the flames Zuko fires at him before he crouches forward and shoots a flame at the ground close in front of him. “Basics, Zuko! Break his root!” Iroh shouts out to Zuko from his spot beside you as Zhao fires more volleys of fire, alternating between his fists. Zuko blocks each, but is slowly forced back every time.

On the last volley Zhao uses both hands, knocking Zuko over and sending him skidding backwards in the dirt. Zhao takes a flying jump at him and lands right in front of him just as Zuko tries to get up, but he isn't fast enough as Zhao fires right at him, making you want to jump in and intervene, but you know that if you do jump in to intervene, it wouldn’t be good.

Before Zhao can deliver the blow, however, Zuko rolls out of the way just in time, sweeping Zhao's feet out from under him. Zuko lands on his feet, and a small smile appears on his face as he advances towards Zhao, using his feet to produce small waves of flame that rush towards Zhao. Zhao gets caught off balance and wobbles backwards. Zhao is finally knocked flat on his back, with a blast of fire. Zuko rushes up to him, prepared to deal the final blow. “Do it!” Zhao shouts up at him.

After a moment of hesitation, Zuko releases a blast down at Zhao with a grunt, making you flinch. Zuko then stands up straight, dropping his fighting stance. Your eyes widen in surprise as you realize that the shot he just fired didn’t hit Zhao at all. Instead of hitting Zhao, Zuko had fired the shot at the ground, right next to Zhao’s head, leaving a smoking hole in the ground. “That’s it?” Zhao asks as he looks up at Zuko, a scowl on his face. “Your father raised a coward!” he continues, egging Zuko on. Zuko however, doesn’t take the bait like Zhao clearly wants him too. “Next time you get in my way, I promise, I won’t hold back.” Zuko says to Zhao before he turns around walking away from Zhao.

As Zuko walks away from Zhao, his eyes find yours which causes you to give him a small smile, glad that he’s the winner of the Agni Kai and not Zhao. Behind Zuko, you notice Zhao get to his feet, his back facing Zuko for a moment before he lets out a howl of anger as he unleashes a whip of fire at Zuko.

Before you can do or say anything the flame coming out of Zhao’s foot as he swings it around, is suddenly extinguished as a hand closes over it. You grin as you see Iroh standing there, holding Zhao’s foot before he pushes Zhao back into the dirt with very little effort. At realizing that Zhao had tried to attack him, Zuko turns around and tries to lunge at Zhao with a growl, but Iroh puts an arm out in front of him, stopping him from doing so. “No, Prince Zuko. Do not taint your victory.” Iroh then turns to face Zhao again, a look of condescension on his face. “So this is how the great Commander Zhao acts in defeat.  Disgraceful.” he says, disappointment in his voice as he shakes his head at the Commander in front of him. “Even in exile my nephew is more honorable than you.” he comments, which causes Zuko to look at him in surprise. “Thanks again for the tea. It was delicious.”

After that, the two of them turn away from Zhao and make their way towards you. As they do, you let out a relieved sigh, utterly relieved that Zuko won and you don't have to go with Zhao.

And that is my first x reader story!

I really hope you guys enjoyed, feel free to let me know if you'd like a Part 2 or something as I did leave it as a cliffhanger where a Part 2 could continue this story line a little bit!

As for the firebender!reader version of this story, I will be posting that when I get the chance to work on it as I need to get more dialogue from the episode that the Agni Kai takes place in!

Stay tuned for that as well as more x reader content like this coming soon, not only for Zuko but also more characters from A:TLA and other fandoms!

[fandomimaginewasteland]

The Tale of Zuko and (Y/N)

Pairing: Zuko x fem!firebender!reader

Warnings: None other than Zuko being a little ooc

WC: 2,878

It's been about a month since you, Zuko and Iroh had arrived in Ba Sing Se after having to go into hiding because the three of you are enemies of the Fire Nation.

Over the past month things have been pretty complicated, but you know that if anything else happens while the three of you are here in the city, you will get through them like you always have been able to.

At the very least, work at Pao’s tea shop has been going well.

Well, that is until a certain customer began to get on your nerves.

You turn away from the customer that you had just given a cup of tea to, your eyes landing on the very girl that has been coming into the tea shop a lot the last few days. It’s glaringly oblivious as to why she’s been coming into the shop so much. She barely ever takes her eyes off of Zuko when he has his back to her, and she always flagged him down to take her order, even if you or Iroh were free to do so. You tell the customer to let you know if they need anything else before you walk towards the kitchen to get some more tea for another customer.

You’re about to exit the kitchen again when Zuko walks toward the counter, glancing back behind him toward the girl sitting at the table in the corner of the shop for a second, before turning back.

“Uncle, we have a problem.” he says quietly as Iroh descends the ladder that he had been on, putting supplies on a shelf. “One of the customers is onto us. Don't look now, but there is a girl over there at the corner table. She knows we're Fire Nation.”

You roll your eyes at his statement, knowing that’s not the situation at all.

You see Zuko force Iroh to turn around as he had turned to look at the girl. “Didn’t I say don’t look!” Zuko growls as Iroh grins. “You're right Zuko. I've seen that girl in here quite a lot.” Iroh states. “Seems to me she has quite a little crush on you.” Zuko reels back in surprise at Iroh’s statement. “What?!”

You huff quietly, not wanting to admit that you really don’t like the idea of that girl having a crush on Zuko as you walk out of the kitchen and to the next customer that you’re serving.

As you walk over to the table, the girl gets up from her table and walks over to the counter as you hand the woman in front of you her tea.

"Thank you for the tea." you hear the girl say, making both Iroh and Zuko turn to her from their spots behind the counter.

The pays for her tea, handing the coins to Zuko who takes them and turns away from her, putting them into the money bag.

"What's your name?" the girl asks Zuko as you walk away from the woman you had just given the cup of tea to just as Zuko turns to face her again.

"My name's Lee," he introduces. "My uncle and I just moved here with a very close friend of ours." he continues while gesturing to you as I walks past him to enter the kitchen, not acknowledging him or the girl.

"Hi Lee, my name is Jin." you hear the girl introduce as you pour some tea in some more cups so that you can serve more customers.

“Thank you and, well, I was wondering if you would like to go out sometime?” Jin asks Zuko which makes you freeze at her question, praying to the spirits that Zuko won’t say yes to her question…

“He’d love to!” you hear Iroh exclaim before Zuko could even respond himself.

“Great! I’ll meet you in front of the shop at sundown.” Jin says before she walks away, leaving a bewildered Zuko while Iroh throws an arm around his shoulders with a large, goofy grin on his face again, causing Zuko to glare at him.

“Here’s your tea.” you smile at the old woman in front of you, handing her her cup of tea.

The woman smiles at you as she takes the cup, taking a sip from it. “Thank you dear.”

“You’re very welcome.” you smile back. “If you need anything else just let me know.”

“Of course.” She nods with a smile, before you walk away from her table and into the kitchen.

****

A few minutes later, you come out of the kitchen with more cups of tea on your tray when you see Zuko coming out of the back room that Iroh had taken him into about twenty minutes ago to help him get ready for his date with Jin.

At the sight of him, you put the tray down onto the counter as you burst into a fit of giggles, causing him to glare at you.

"W-w-what ha-happened to y-your h-hair?!" you ask him in between giggles.

“Uncle happened.” he huffs out angrily.

As he says this, you try to stop your giggles, but to no avail since you look at his hair again, and seeing it all slicked back causes your giggles to get louder. “Stop laughing! It’s not funny!”

You let out a gentle sigh a moment later, your giggles coming to a stop, giving him a small smile as you look at him all dressed up for his date with Jin.

Your heart can't help but clench in sadness.

The thought of Zuko going out on a date with another girl breaks your heart... especially with all of things the two of you have been through since he had been banished...

You wish Iroh would’ve let Zuko politely decline Jin’s offer like you know he would’ve if he had the chance… Maybe then you would’ve had the courage to ask Zuko if he wanted to go walk around the city together or something.

“Sorry…” you apologize to him sheepishly, brushing some of your hair behind your ear. “I’m just not used to seeing you like this I guess.” you continue while gesturing to his outfit and hair, a small smile appearing on my face.

You can tell that he wants to say something in reply to that statement, but Pao's voice coming from towards the front of the shop interrupts him from doing so.

“Jade, I need some more tea over here!”

You turn your head toward him as you pick up your tray from the counter again.

“Coming!” you shout back at him, before you turn back to Zuko, giving him a small smile. “I'll see you later tonight, alright?”

He nods in reply before you turn around walking over to where Pao is waiting for you.

You and Iroh are finally done for the day at the tea shop.

You sigh out in relief as your lungs fill with fresh air after being in Pao’s tea shop all day. Not to mention, all of the thoughts you’ve had since Zuko left with Jin for their date…

You wanted to get those thoughts out of your head, but since the shop was busy, you couldn’t even get a moments’ rest…

When you and Iroh got back to the apartment, he had apparently sensed your stress and told you to take a walk around the city to clear your head.

A walk around the city did sound nice, even though all you wanted to do once the two of you got back to the apartment was get some sleep.

You’ve been walking around the lower ring for about an hour now and you’re finally not being bombarded with thoughts of Zuko and Jin being on their date.

You sigh in relief as you walk back to the apartment, taking the long way back since you wanted to enjoy the starry night a little bit longer, when you hear voices coming from in front of me.

You’re about to go around the block when you hear Zuko’s all so familiar voice.

‘Maybe he’s heading back to the apartment.’ you think as you walk up the street, staying in the shadows of the buildings around you.

Your eyes widen when you see Zuko and Jin standing there, lit lanterns glowing around them.

Your heart breaks slightly as you see Jin grab a hold of Zuko’s hand, making him turn to her, her lips about to touch his.

Before their lips touch though, Zuko holds up a piece of paper in between them. “I brought you something. It's a coupon for a free cup of tea.” he explains.

“Lee, this is so sweet.” Jin smiles as she takes the coupon from him. Zuko takes a few steps away from her before he answers. “Don't thank me. It was my Uncle's idea. He thinks you're our most valuable customer.”

“Your Uncle is a good teacher.” Jin smiles to which you agree to wholeheartedly.

Iroh is indeed a good teacher in multiple aspects, not just for Zuko but to you as well.

“I have something for you too.” she says as she walks up to Zuko, placing her hand on his cheek, making him turn to face her. “Now it's your turn to close your eyes.”

Your heart clenches painfully at her words, knowing exactly what she’s about to do.

At the thought of the two of them kissing, you turn away from them, running down the street, wanting to get back to the apartment as soon as possible.

When you return to the apartment, you tell Iroh that you're going to bed, since you're very tired from working at the tea shop all day.

You sigh tiredly as you close the door to your and Zuko's shared room behind you.

You're not only tired from working at the tea shop all day, but also from the thoughts currently running through your head about how Zuko really feels about you and how you have always felt about him since you were both 12 years old.

You fall onto your mattress, just staring up at the ceiling, your thoughts wandering to Zuko and Jin.

You wonder what they're doing right now.

They’re probably walking down the streets, hand and hand, and just having a good time together.

You sigh as you roll onto your side, just wanting to get some sleep and not think about Zuko enjoying his date with Jin…

About ten minutes later, (I know that in the show, he showed up at the apartment sooner, but let’s just say that he was taking his time, just going through his thoughts.) you hear the door to the apartment open and you know that Zuko had just gotten back from his date.

“How was your night, Prince Zuko?” you hear Iroh ask from the living room.

You don’t hear Zuko’s reply, just the door to the room that you’re currently in open and then slam shut a second later.

You don’t move from your position on your mattress as you hear Zuko sigh softly before you hear him open the door again. “It was nice.” he says, his voice soft and filled with what sounds like sadness.

You still don’t move from your spot on my mattress as you hear Zuko walk over to his mattress that lays next to yours.

You hear his footsteps stop for a second behind you before you feel him sit on the edge of the mattress near your feet.

Your body tenses slightly at feeling him so close to you, not knowing what he’s going to do.

“(Y/N), you awake?” you hear him whisper as you feel him put his hand on your shoulder.

You hum slightly as you slowly turn to him.

“Yeah, I’m awake.” you answer, trying to sound as if you just woke up from him putting his hand on your shoulder.

You stare at him for a second before seeing his sad expression. “Zuko, what’s wrong?” you ask as you sit up to where you’re sitting right next to him.

“Nothing.” he says softly, but you don’t believe him.

Did something happen during his date with Jin after I had seen them kiss?

He then turns his head to you after a moment of silence.

“Can I show you something?” he asks quietly.

You look at him in confusion for a second before nodding.

“Follow me.” he tells you before getting up from your mattress and over to the window.

“You can’t be serious.” you say as he steps out of the window and onto the roof outside of it.

“What?” he asks while turning to you. “You don’t trust me?” he smirks while giving you his hand to take.

You give him a small smile as you take his hand in yours. “I trust you.”

He smiles back before helping you through the window and onto the shingled roof of the apartment building.

Zuko leads you by the hand down the darkened streets of the lower ring.

“Where are you taking me?” you ask him as he finally slows down to a walk.

He just smiles at you, not answering your question.

A few minutes later, he turns to you. “Alright, close your eyes.”

“Um... Why? You’re not taking me out here to kill me are you?” you ask jokingly.

He rolls his eyes at you. “Just close your eyes.”

“Okay, okay.” you smile before closing your eyes.

“No peeking.” he says and you nod with a giggle.

A few seconds later, you feel him grab your hands, before leading you down the street again. He leads you forward and after a moment, you start to have a slight hunch as to where he’s taking you.

The fountain where you had seen him and Jin earlier…

You’re really hoping that you’re wrong though…

Not too much longer after that, he tells you to stop and you do. Behind your closed eyelids, you can see the lights from the lanterns that you’d seen around Zuko and Jin earlier.

Your heart drops slightly but you try to stay optimistic about why he had taken you here in the first place.

I then feel Zuko’s body heat behind you and his hands on your shoulders.

At his touch you feel your cheeks burn, not used to him being so touchy feely with you like he’s been since the two of you left the apartment.

“Open your eyes.” he says softly, his breath tickling your ear causing a shiver to run down your spine.

You open my eyes and your eyes widen in surprise at the sight in front of you. “Wow!” you exclaim softly.

The sight in front of you is just amazing awe-inspiring with the lanterns around you sparkling against the water in the fountain beautifully.

It’s beautiful.

Even though you had seen this earlier, the position you were in then doesn’t compare to the position you’re in now.

“Jin brought me here.” you hear Zuko say from beside you.

Your heart breaks at that.

Why would he tell me that after he brought me here?

“But I promise, me bringing you here has nothing to do with her.” he promises.

“Then, why did you bring me here?” you ask him quietly.

“I…” he hesitates. “honestly don’t know myself...”

You turn to face him, confused. “What do you mean?”

“I don’t know…” he answers again.

You look at him for a moment, seeing the conflicted look in his eyes.

You can tell that he’s confused and very conflicted about what he feels about you, even if you're his childhood best friend…

The thing is though, you do…

You walk up to him, taking his hand in yours, causing him to look at you.

“What does your heart tell you?” you ask.

He stares into your eyes for a second before lifting his hand up to your cheek, brushing a strand of hair out of your eyes.

“It’s telling me…” he begins as he leans his face closer to mine.

“Telling you what?” you ask him softly as his lips are just centimeters from yours.

He doesn’t answer your question verbally, he just presses his lips against yours gently.

Your body freezes in surprise for a second before you relax against his lips, kissing him back gently.

Zuko’s hands land on your waist, pulling you closer to him, in which you respond by wrapping your arms around his neck.

The two of you continue to kiss each other until you have to break away for air.

You press my forehead against his, your hands on his chest as you catch your breath again.

Once you catch your breath again a few moments later, you look up into his eyes to see them sparkling with happiness. “What?” you ask, a smile appearing on my face.

“Nothing.” he shakes his head slightly, a smile on his face as well. “You’re just so beautiful.”

You blush at his statement, looking down at your feet in embarrassment.

“Come on.” he says softly while taking my hand in his. “We should go back before Uncle realizes that we’re gone.”

You nod in agreement, knowing that he’s right.

And with that, we both start making our way back to the apartment, hand in hand, smiles on our faces.

[fandomimaginewasteland]

The Final Agni Kai

Pairing: Zuko x fem!waterbender!reader

Warnings: None other than a brief mention of an injury at the end of this story

Summary: Sozin's Comet is here and you, Katara and Zuko are the ones to go up against Azula while Toph, Suki and Sokka take care of the air fleet and Aang fights Fire Lord Ozai to end the war once and for all!

WC: 4,003

Sozin's Comet is finally here.

You watch as the comet begins it's journey through the sky as you, Zuko and Katara fly on Appa towards the Fire Nation to face Azula.

As you watch the comet, you can't help but struggle to keep your thoughts positive... Nothing like going into battle with a crazy fourteen year old girl with enhanced firebending skills magnified by a lot because of the comet. You don’t know who’s crazier, Azula or the three of you, because at this point, it’s really hard to tell.

You shake your head, clearing thoughts away, not really wanting to worry about that right now. You really need to focus on the upcoming battle the three of you will have against Azula.

You turn to look at both Zuko and Katara who are sitting on Appa's head while you sit in the saddle.

Even though you're sitting behind him, you can tell that Zuko's worried and also somewhat anxious.

More than likely because of the upcoming battle against Azula.

In knowing that he's worried, you're about to reassure him that the three of you will beat Azula and Aang will beat Ozai, but it seems that you're not the only one who notices his expression as Katara turns to him as well.

“Zuko, don't worry. We can take Azula.”

“I’m not worried about her. I'm worried about Aang.” Zuko answers. “What if he doesn't have the guts to take out my father? What if he loses?”

He does have a point… Before Aang disappeared he was adamant that he wasn’t comfortable with taking the Fire Lord’s life. What if he doesn’t deliver the final blow and he doesn’t make it…?

“Aang won’t lose. He’s gonna come back.” Katara responds somewhat confidently.

She looks forward with narrowed eyes before continuing. “He has to.”

She’s right. If you all want this war to finally end, Aang has to come back and defeat Ozai once and for all, because if he doesn’t…

Well…, you really don't want to think about that…

When you, Zuko and Katara finally get to the Palace City to face Azula, it seems that you made it just in time as you see in the Coronation Plaza of the palace, Azula is just about to be crowned Fire Lord.

As you watch the scene of Azula kneeling in front of the fire sage behind her, you can tell, even from here, that Azula seems a bit off.

Her posture doesn't look as straight and confident as it usually is and her hair is in a messy loos bun.

Looks like she's showing off her crazy side, even more so than before.

“By decree of Phoenix King Ozai, I now crown you Fire Lord…” you hear the Fire Sage that’s about to crown Azula say before he trails off as he spots the three of you on Appa. Azula turns her head to face him. “What are you waiting for?” she asks him, somewhat annoyed. “Do it!”

Even her voice seems off, it isn’t as calm, cold and even as it usually was.

Before the fire sage can answer her or do what she tells him too, Appa lets out a loud growl, causing Azula to turn back around to see Appa landing in the plaza courtyard.

Zuko stands up from his spot on Appa’s head.

“Sorry, but you're not gonna become Fire Lord today. I am.” he declares determined as he jumps off of Appa, you and Katara following his lead a second later.

Azula laughs at his declaration mockingly. “You're hilarious.”

“And you're going down!” you growl as you and Katara walk up to stand on either side of Zuko as the three of you glare up at her.

The Fire Sage behind Azula is about to crown Azula the new Fire Lord again, regardless of the three of you standing here. That is until Azula signals with her hand for him to stop. “Wait.”

She gets to her feet, staring down at Zuko. “You want to be Fire Lord? Fine. Let's settle this. Just you and me, brother. The showdown that was always meant to be. Agni Kai!”

‘No…’ you think, your eyes widening in shock and also worry.

She can’t do this. Not now. And you know with how stubborn Zuko is, Zuko will accept her challenge, just to show everyone that he can beat Azula.

With how unhinged Azula is acting right now, he’s going to get himself killed…

“You’re on.” Zuko answers seriously, causing both you and Katara to look at him in surprise.

“Zuko, what are you doing?” you ask. “She's playing you. She knows she can't take all three of us on by herself, so she's trying to separate us.”

“I know.” he agrees, his gaze not leaving Azula as he stares her down. “But I can take her this time.”

“But even you admitted to your uncle that you would need help facing Azula.” Katara argues.

“There's something off about her; I can't explain it but she's slipping.” Zuko replies before turning to look at Katara and then at you. “And this way, no one else has to get hurt.”

You and Katara share a look before nodding in agreement, that him facing Azula in an Agni Kai will be the best way to take her down.

It's nearly time for the Agni Kai to start, and you're so nervous for Zuko. So nervous in fact that you have to fight the tears that are wanting to come out at the thought of him fighting Azula on his own and possibly getting or worse... killed.

Unfortunately as Katara wishes him luck one tear slips out.

You quickly wipe it away but Zuko notices it which causes him to frown.

“(Y/N),” he begins as he steps closer to you. “It’s going to be okay, I promise.” He continues as he pulls you into a tight hug.

More tears slip down your face as you bury your face into his chest.

You have confidence that he can beat Azula, but that doesn't mean that you're not afraid for his life.

It's just that after everything you've been through together, you don't want to lose him. Not again...

“I love you.” you whisper into his chest.

“I love you too.” Zuko responds back as he slowly pulls away from you, letting you go.

You sigh as you wipe the tears out of your eyes before you look up into his orange eyes.

“Just don’t die, because if you do, I’ll kill you.” you comment with a small smile on your face which causes Zuko to chuckle lightly as he pulls you into him again.

“Well, look at this.” Azula’s all too familiar voice rings out through the plaza, causing you and Zuko to turn to her, annoyed looks on our faces. “Little Zuzu has a new girlfriend. Mai won’t be very happy about this. Don’t you worry though Zuzu, after you’re gone, I’ll make sure that her death is quick.”

You let Zuko go this time and look him fiercely in the eyes. “I trust you, but you have to beat her.” you whisper, your voice breaking from the tears again.

Zuko cups your face in his hands and holds it close to his.

“I will.” he whispers against your lips before crushing them against his in a searing kiss.

****

After both you and Katara wish Zuko luck, you both retreat to the edge of the courtyard to keep out of the fight. You don’t know how much help it’ll be considering that Sozin’s comet is in the sky above you which will enhance both Zuko and Azula’s firebending power, which will cause fire to go everywhere.

You watch silently as both Azula and Zuko both walk to opposite sides of the courtyard before kneeling on the ground, their backs facing each other.

This isn’t the first time you’ve seen an Agni Kai. That one being when you were Zuko's prisoner and you were the prize to whoever won the Agni Kai.

That Agni Kai was less serious than this one since the fate of the world didn’t rely directly on that battle that raged between them. It’s different now, there’s a tension in the air that is literally fraying your nerves.

You want to look away, but you can’t… You have to watch. You have to be the one who protects Zuko if something goes wrong. For if Zuko falls, you’ll be there to finish this once and for all.

A hand being placed on your shoulder breaks you out of your thoughts and you turn your head to face Katara who looks at you with a reassuring look in her eye. “It’ll be okay (Y/N), Zuko can beat Azula.”

You sigh with a nod before turning back to look at the two firebenders. “I really hope you're right.”

As you turn your attention back to Zuko and Azula you see them get to their feet so that they can face each other. “I'm sorry it has to end this way, brother.” Azula comments snidely, smirking conceitedly as she takes off her coronation robe, throwing it to the side. “No you’re not.” Zuko answers calmly as he gets into a firebending stance.

Azula just continues to smirk like mad as she assumes an awkward bending stance. You’ve seen Iroh teach Zuko enough times to know that her stance is sloppy and uneven, and it’s just not like Azula at all.

Ever since the three of you arrived, Azula hasn’t seemed like her normal self. It’s really weird not seeing her all cold and closed off.

Now you’re seeing the real her and you don’t like it one bit. She’s dangerous, but you have to stay positive in your hope that Zuko will take her down so that she doesn’t hurt anyone else from now on.

You’re broken out of your thoughts when Azula spins and sends a sudden blast of blue flames toward Zuko. In response, Zuko brings his hands up and jumps forward, bending a flame in each hand as he brings his arms down in front of him, sending the flames toward Azula. The red and blue flames collide in the middle of the plaza.

At the sight of the flames coming toward the two of you, you and Katara jump out of the way, not wanting to get hit.

After the wall of fire begins to die out, you look over at Katara, making sure that she’s okay. “Katara? You alright?” “Fine.” she answers. “You?” You nod, reassuring her that you’re okay. “I’m good.”

After you know that Katara’s okay, you turn your attention back to the fight to see Azula sending three spinning kicks of blue fire at Zuko.

******

Zuko and Azula continue to exchange blows for another ten minutes before their flames start to blend with each other like they did before. You watch as the orange and blue flames start to shoot to opposite ends of the plaza.

Your eyes watch Zuko closely as he’s pushed back by the blue flames colliding with his. “Come on Zuko.” you whisper pleadingly, not wanting him to get hurt, or worse, killed…

The fire stops and you get to see the whole plaza again.

You see Zuko poised to fight, staring straight at Azula all the while small fires mingle around in parts of the plaza, evidence of the large flames.

You then turn your gaze towards Azula, to see her with a scared and confused look on her face before she turns around to find that Zuko’s strong attack has caused the building behind her to catch fire.

Azula then whirls back around to face Zuko, a distressed and angry look on her face.

You know, if she wasn’t so evil and out to kill Zuko, you would feel genuinely sorry for her… Unfortunately though, she is evil and out to kill not only Zuko but everyone that you love and care about.

Azula leaps forward with a blast of fire that she swings at Zuko. Just as he’s about to be hit, Zuko thrusts his palms outward to create a wall of fire that slices the blue flame in half. The flames slowly die down and you’re confident that Zuko’s gonna win since from what you can tell, Azula looks like she’s getting tired and scared.

Looking at her now, she actually looks like an actual 14 year old girl.

Azula is finally cracking.

Her hard and cold mask is finally revealing the ugliness within.

Two large fireballs encircling each other come flying toward her from Zuko and she just manages to jump out of the way, before she starts flying toward Zuko, punching blasts of blue flames at him as she goes.

As the blue flames make their way toward him, Zuko launches himself into the air with his own fire and meets Azula’s blue flames with his own.

Your breathing becomes rapid with worry and anxiety as you watch Azula skate around him with her blue flames, launching fire at him as she does so.

Luckily though, Zuko easily deflects them all the while trying to knock Azula off her feet.

****

Azula keeps circling Zuko and clearly it’s become obvious to not only you, but Zuko as well, that he just wasn’t getting anywhere with just punching flames at Azula as she circles around him.

Once he has an opening, Zuko does a sweep kick, creating a ring of fire around him. You snap your attention back to Azula who seems to just hold back but still gets blown back by the flames.

You wince as she rolls to a stop.

That’s gotta hurt…

As soon as you think this is finally over, Azula gets back up almost immediately. She stands up, her hair now free from her hair tie that must have broken while she was blown back by Zuko.

“No lighting today? What’s the matter?” Zuko taunts angrily and somewhat mockingly. ���Afraid I'll redirect it?”

Now that… was stupid…

At his taunt, you and Katara both run out onto the plaza courtyard to where you stand behind Zuko, ready to help if he needs you too.

“Oh, I'll show you lightning!” Azula shouts angrily at Zuko.

Azula begins to wave and rotate her arms, sparks of lightning flicking out of her fingertips as she does. You gulp in nervousness, hoping that Zuko redirects the lightning and the three of you can finally end this.

You watch Zuko carefully as he takes a deep breath before exhaling deeply, controlling his energy so that he can redirect the lightning.

Azula finishes charging up and brings her fingers to her chest, ready to fire it.

For some reason though, you get the feeling that something bad is about to happen.

You just know it.

You watch Azula very carefully, looking for any signs that she might do something the three of you aren’t expecting.

Any sign at all.

A split second later, you see it.

Her eyes meet yours for just a split second before she smirks evilly before lunging, shooting the lighting directly at you and Katara who’s standing right next to you.

You stand frozen in fear at the sight of the bolt of lightning coming straight for you.

You literally can’t move.

Your body is so filled with fear that none of your limbs want to move.

That’s when it begins to seem like everything around you is going in slow motion. You watch in complete and utter horror as Zuko moves so that he’s in between the lightning and you and Katara. 

“No!” you hear Zuko shout as he extends his arm out in order to redirect it.

It’s too late though because his body gets struck by it, therefore absorbing it.

You watch with wide eyes as Zuko hits the ground, the lightning leaving his body through his other arm so that it’s shot above the city and into the air. The lightning that wasn’t redirected though is still going through his body, causing his body to twitch.

Zuko rolls onto his back, groaning and holding his wounded chest.

You gasp out in horror.

You and Katara need to get to him!

“Zuko!” Both you and Katara yell as the two of you start running toward him only for a blast of lightning to hit the ground in between the two of you and Zuko.

You grit your teeth in anger at the sight of Azula as she laughs maniacally, running towards you and Katara as she does.

****

“Katara, we need to get to him!” you say as both of you dodge yet another blast of lightning from Azula. “I know, but how?!” she asks.

Before you can answer, Azula fires another blast of lightning at the two of you, causing you and Katara to jump out of the way.

You and Katara turn to face Azula as she lands on the roof of the overhang that goes around the courtyard. “I’d rather our family physician look after little Zuzu if you two don’t mind.” she tells the two of you darkly as she charges up another blast of lightning to fire at you.

You quickly bend the water from the pool beside you and Katara in front of you, causing a smoke screen to form when the lightning hits it, letting you and Katara run behind some pillars and out of sight from Azula as she continues to fire blasts of blue flames at the two of you.

You hold Katara tight as you hide behind the pillar, waiting for the flames to dissipate.

When they do, you and Katara straighten up, looking around either side of the pillar to see what’s going on.

Your gaze immediately goes over to Zuko who’s still lying on the ground.

‘Zuko…’ you think worriedly as he’s still twitching from the lighting that had gone through his body.

“Zuzu, you don’t look so good!” you hear Azula taunt before you see her shoot yet another blast of lightning at you and Katara, causing both of you to run behind the next pillar for cover as the one the two of you were just behind explodes from the impact.

“Here’s the plan.” you say to Katara as the two of you hide behind the pillar, causing Katara to look at you. “I’ll take care of Azula, while you heal Zuko.”

“But, (Y/N), what if-” You cut her off. “Don’t worry about me, I’ve got a plan.”

“...Alright…” Katara answers hesitantly, still looking worried.

You pull her into a quick hug. “Be careful, okay?” you ask. “I’ll try and keep her distracted long enough that she doesn’t see you making your way over to Zuko, okay?” “You too.” she answers back as you let go of her, running to hide behind another pillar to distract Azula.

Clearly, it worked, because as soon as you started running towards the next pillar to hide, she shoots another blast of fire which almost hit you. Almost.

The flames dissipate a moment later and you grit my teeth in determination as you bend the water from the pool on the side of the courtyard again, bringing it around the pillar and launching it at the roof where Azula had been shooting the lightning and fire from.

Your eyes widen when the water crashes over the roof, but Azula’s not there.

You hear the sound of crackling flames behind you and see Azula flying towards you. In response, you quickly bend the water from the pool again, forming it into ice so that you can glide along it, all the while dodging her attacks.

Azula continues firing blue flames at you when you run out of ice. Luckily you landed out of her line of fire under the overhang.

You land on your hands and knees on top of some grates and you smile at the sight of the water running below you. An idea comes to your head and you look around for something you can use to tie Azula down with.

After looking around for a moment, you find some chains tied to a closed door and smile. ‘Perfect.’ you think as you rush over to grab the chains.

After struggling with the chains for a minute or two, you finally get them unhooked.

And just in time too, it seems!

“There you are, filthy peasant!” you hear Azula hiss from your left as she walks up to you, an angry look on her face.

She stops on top of the grate, but you know that now isn’t the right time to freeze her in ice like you plan too, so you glare at her intensely.

After a brief stare down of both of you glaring at each other, you use multiple water whips to force Azula onto the grate and into a better position for your plan of subduing her.

As you do this, you see that she’s about to shoot lightning at you when you bend the water from down below, freezing the two of you in ice.

It worked!

After being frozen in the ice for a moment, you let out air through your nose, melting the water around you so that you can chain Azula’s hands together and to the grate.

Once you know that she’s tied down, you bend the water back into the grate, causing you and Azula to cough from being underwater that long.

After catching your breath, you tighten the chains around Azula’s wrists, just to make sure that she can’t get free.

After seeing Azula struggle against the chains for a second, you know that she can’t get free so you look over to where you know Katara and Zuko will be.

You see Katara using her healing abilities on Zuko and rush over to the two of them, tears running down your face as you do, hoping to the spirits that he’s gonna be okay.

You kneel down next to Zuko’s head, seeing that he’s gritting his teeth in pain as Katara heals him. You gently lift his head before placing it on your lap so that you can run your fingers through his hair as a sort of comfort for him.

You feel a tear run down your cheek as you see Zuko open his eyes as he looks over at Katara, smiling weakly. “Thank you, Katara.”

You brush his bangs out of his eyes, causing him to look up at you as I smile down at him, tears running down your cheeks. “I think we’re the ones who should be thanking you.”

You then lean down, pressing a short gentle kiss to his lips as you’re relieved that he’s going to be okay.

You let go after a moment, pressing your forehead against his.

“I love you.” you whisper.

You feel Zuko’s hand on your cheek, making you hold it on your own, keeping it against your cheek.

“I love you too.”

“Do you want to get up now?” you ask him gently after a moment as you sit straight again.

Zuko nods in reply and you and Katara slowly help him up to his feet.

You keep your arm around Zuko’s lower back as you give Katara a hug, so happy that she and Zuko are okay after the intense battle.

The sound of panting causes the three of you to look over at Azula as she begins to scream out in madness and breathe fire, writhing in an attempt to break free from the chains you had tied her up in.

Finally, after a moment, she stops and begins to cry uncontrollably. Zuko wraps his arm around you as the three of us look down at Azula with both horror and pity.

The three of you had beaten Azula and won the battle for the throne of Fire Lord.

And now, all you have to do is wait.

Wait for any news on Sokka, Toph and Suki with the airships and Aang and the Firelord.

[fandomimaginewasteland]

Avatar: The Last Airbender Fanfiction Masterlist

Masterlist last updated as of: 11/21/24!

# of completed works: 4

Jet

Imagines: Nothing yet...

Headcanons: Nothing yet...

Drabbles: Nothing yet...

One-Shots: Nothing yet...

Quotes/Prompts: Nothing yet...

Mini Series *Series with less than 10 Parts!*: Nothing yet...

Series *Series with 10+ Parts!*: Nothing yet...

Requests: Nothing yet...

Smut *NSFW CONTENT - 18+ ONLY*: Nothing yet...

Sokka

Imagines: Nothing yet...

Headcanons: Nothing yet...

Drabbles: Nothing yet...

One-Shots: Nothing yet...

Quotes/Prompts: Nothing yet...

Mini Series *Series with less than 10 Parts!*: Nothing yet...

Series *Series with 10+ Parts!*: Nothing yet...

Requests: Nothing yet...

Smut *NSFW CONTENT - 18+ ONLY*: Nothing yet...

Zuko

Imagines: Nothing yet...

Headcanons: Nothing yet...

Drabbles: Nothing yet...

One-Shots: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5

Quotes/Prompts: Nothing yet...

Mini Series *Series with less than 10 Parts!*: Nothing yet...

Series *Series with 10+ Parts!*: Nothing yet...

Requests: Nothing yet...

Smut *NSFW CONTENT - 18+ ONLY*: Nothing yet...