AN: This idea started during the season finale. I wrote it out in detention
Disclaimer: If I owned them. This would be an episode. Or at least a book.
Crossroads of Destiny
Zuko froze as everyone turned to look at him. Time seemed to freeze as the warriors waited for the one bender who would shift the balance.
So no pressure. He thought sarcastically.
He looked at his sister, remembering the conversation he'd had with her minutes-maybe even seconds ago. She'd been so nice then. Like she'd been when hey where little. Before she was discovered as a fire bender prodigy. Before their father took her childhood enforcing classes and training no 6-year-old should endure. Before he brainwashed her with lectures of power ad war strategies. Before their mother died.
Their mom. There was so much of hr in Azula. Te golden eyes. Her raven hair. The full red lips. Their voice. The similarities were comforting and beckoned him to join her. Zuko pictured himself at home. With Azula. Laughing at Ty lee's latest air head moment. Teasing each other and just…being home. The way it had been before any of his started.
It's all an illusion a voice inside hi head said. Nothing is the same. You'd be living a lie. But was that so wrong? To want to preserve the one living link he had to his mother? Going home had been the only thin in his mind for over 3 years-to see his people his friends, his family. Was he expected to give all that up? And for what? Four people who couldn't stand him and would probably kill him in an instant?
Not Katara the same voice said she as willing to heal the scars life imprinted on you To give you a second chance. You must do the same for her and her friends.
But even Katara hadn't thought twice about abandoning him the moment her precious Avatar stepped in.
"I need you Zuko" -Azula had told him. God, how long had he waited to hear that again. To have his sister back.
"You think if we had been born before any of this started"-Aang said hesitatingly, his voice barely audible. "We could've been friend?"
No! It was a lie. He couldn't join the Avatar! It was unthinkable1 to betray his nation. And for hat? He wasn't like them-these children playing heroes.When it was all over they'd a home to go to. He didn't.
"I hate you!"
He couldn't. Everyone knew exactly who and what he was. At least in the Fire Nation's side he knew where he stood. The hatred in the earth-kingdom boy's eyes had confirmed his fears. No matter what, he could never escape who he was.
You can have father's love Zuko.
God he wanted that. It was really all he'd ever wanted all along. For his father to look at him with the same pride his eyes reserved for Azula. For a warm smile, a reassuring looks. He'd do anything for it.
So why was he hesitating now that he had the chance?
"You are wiser, stronger, and freer that you have ever been. Now you are at the crossroads of your destiny. It is time for you to choose!
I need you Zuko
You must choose good!
Stop! It was too much. Not 30 minutes ago he'd been…happy. For then first time since his mother's death he'd been truly happy.
And now here he was hearing voices in his head and considering abandoning what he'd worked for almost 3 years.
It was crazy! Of course he'd choose Azula. Zuko looked at his sister. Ready to read in her eyes the entire strategy. An ability they had developed when they were younger and had to tag-team to fend off older fire benders who always seemed to go after the royal siblings. Zuko froze. The moment he locked eyes with his sister her resemblance to their mother stopped. This wasn't his sister. This wasn't the girl who'd fended off bullies and taught him how to fire bend. Who's gentle voice had eased the frustration and hurt left by his father on occasions when not even his mother's affection and hi uncle's encouragement was enough. The girl staring back at him was Princess Azula f The Fire Nation. The person his sister had become. The person his father had turned her into.
I'm sorry Azula. He thought. Even if the sister he loved and longed for had been gone for years. He still felt like a traitor as he inched towards the air bender holding his fighting stance and hoping she'd run off. Or better yet, kill him. It wasn't as if he would resist. He doubted himself capable of attacking his sister hen they outnumbered her 3 to 1
He wasn't the only one shocked at hi decision. Azula stood there dumbfounded, as the full meaning of what had just happened dawned on her. For a split second her eyes shifted and something in her eyes shifted and she looked like a lost little girl about to break down in tars. It was the same look-Zuko thought with a shudder-she'd had had when their father ha so-kindly explained their mother's death meant she was never coming back. A look that he knew would haunt him forever.
But the moment passed and the feelings were once again masked. The Princess sneered at them. In the blink of an eye, an army of earth benders rose from the ground, surrounding them she waved her hand and they attacked.
All emotions and thoughts were pushed down as Zuko went into fighting mode. The earth benders seemed to be everywhere. He dodged attacks left and right. Remembering his basic training.
"When fighting a thousand opponents" his uncle had once told him"fihgt hem one at a time"
He cleared his mind and reached zone zero. That place every warrior went to on instinct. Where everything faded leaving only the fighter and those h was fighting. He blocked, he punched-jab, uppercut, back fist, hammer fist, he kicked-front-snap, roundhouse, backspin, straight, axis. Fighting on 3 levels and 8 sides as he'd been taught. Taking control the fight, the footing, the pace.
Zuko felt something solid hit the back of his head and gritted I teeth against the shooting pain that followed. Black dots swam into his vision and his knees came dangerously close to collapsing. He'd already taken one too many hits and had no idea how long he could keep it up. His resources were running dangerously lo and he knew it. With every jab, every kick , every breath that seemed too shot, he knew it was a matter of time before his body gave in to the injuries and exhaustion It had been submitted to.
Every now and then he he'd check on Azula, make sure she didn't get too beat up. He had nothing to worry about of course. She was one of the best-he couldn't help but feel a bit proud of this.
But he couldn't help it. Even after everything they'd been trough, the thought of someone hurting his sister still made his blood boil. It had taken every ounce of will power he had not to lunge himself at the Avatar when he and Azula collided.
Out of the corner of his eye he spotted Katara's water octopus taking out a row of soldiers, part f which separated them. They were back to back now. Fire and Water. Yin and Yang. Fighting together for one goal. To stay alive.
There's too many. He realized. He looked at attar and knew she was thinking the same thing.
The battle froze once more as both sides looked above to find the last of the air benders suspended in air. The tattoos marking him as one the long-gone air-bending monks glowed as he embraced a power as old as time itself.
Zuko glanced at Azula hoping she'd back down. The Avatar could kill the entire army-and he probably would-for all he cared. But he would not let him get near his sister. Wouldn't let them fight knowing who would in, knowing what the Avatar state was capable of.
The moment h looked at his sister Zuko knew what she was going to do. What the consequences would b. Using the last of his fire bending resources Zuko formed a fireball beneath him, standing on it he the used his hands to propel himself upward by fire-punching the ground. A move, he recalled, had been taught to him by Azula.
Please be safe.
He had no idea whether the thought was directed at Katara or Azula. Though it was probably both. These were Zuko's last thoughts before lighting ripped the air and darkness claimed his consciousness.
Azula stood frozen in place as realization of what had just happened dawned on her. She had used lighting on Zuko, on her brother. The battle raged on as The Avatar took out row after row of soldiers as if they were nothing but wooden stick in the way of a hurricane. But she took no notice of this. All she saw was the rocket ball her brother had created evaporated and Zuko's limp brother ell to the ground. She wanted to run and catch him, to hold him, t call him and idiot for taking the deadly hit h knew was for the avatar-because Zuko had known, because he always knew. Back when they were kids, they'd practically been able to red each others minds-but she couldn't. She seemed to be unable to do anything but stare as her brother fell. The water bender skidded past her riding a makeshift wave and Azula snapped out of her trance realizing hat she was about to do. She tried o think of some way to stop her but for the first time in her life she felt helpless and couldn't focus enough. She watched as the water bender caught Zuko and vowed to kill her for coming between her and he brother. Glancing around Azula saw that the field was deserted. Not a soldier was left. The air bender known as the Avatar returned to his previous state. The power drain that came with the Avatar state took its toll on the young monk and he instinctively did a weak air ending move to make sure he landed on his feet and not hi head.
There thy stood. At her mercy. Her soldiers were gone but she knew the wakened bender stood no chance against her. She thought of the many ways to kill them. Lighting, of course was the faster and most efficient.
She conjured up the power of lighting. Feeling it at the tips o her finger, ready to be bended at her will, felt the familiar rush that came with power. She froze. She couldn't do it. The picture of her brother as he was hit by her own lighting kept drifting in to her mind. Breaking hr concentration. Practically immobilizing her.
She hated this. This weakness. There as no time to dwell on insecurities. She had to get Zuko away from the 2 benders and taken care of.
Show weakness to anyone in this world, her father had told her, and they'll walk all over you and leave you in dust.
So she did the only thing she could think of. She called for more soldiers. She saw the devastated look on her opponents faces as they realized the hopelessness of the situation and couldn't help but let a smirk cross her face. She loved this.
I win. She thought repeating the line she'd once used playfully as a child. I always win
A blast of fire emerged from the cave above and Azula looked up and rolled her eyes at the old fire bender
Why does he always have to intervene!
With agility she didn't know the old man had he jumped down and landed in between the benders and the army before them. "You've got to get out of here! Ill hold them off as long as I can!"
With that, the water bender propelled herself upward and into the Avatar's Bison. Azula started to follow, but for some reason, could only watch as her brother was taken from her once again.
"Zuko"
Her whisper was barely audible above the battle in the background. A single tear ran down her cheek before she forced herself to shove the useless emotions and bury them. After all, a weak leader had no army. Her army hadn't lost any time and she turned to find her uncle trapped in earth from the neck down.
Katara laid her hand on the wound on Zuko's back and felt the familiar cooling sensation as her healing abilities were put to work. Everyone else held their breath unsure of how to react .Sokka was torn between his feelings for the fire Nation and the fact that he had never given Zuko much thought as an individual-which was not something he was proud of. It made him like Jet and that was the last thing he wanted. In truth, Zuko wasn't that different room him, he was about his age, wanted to please his father who he hadn't seen in 3 years, had lost his mother t the the fire nation and like him, ad a little sister who annoyed him to no end. Of course, unlike Katara, Zuko's sister wanted to kill him. But other than that they weren't that different.
But din t mean he trusted him.
Aang was probably the most confused of the blended family. He'd saved him. Zuko had turned against his own sister and saved his life. But why? Zuko'd been on his trail since day one. Why change now that he was so close?
It had to be a trap.
Toph was the only one who didn't regard Zuko suspiciously All she knew about the guy was that he had helped them and saved Aang's life. She couldn't the scar that marked him. Or the glen eyes, pale skin dark hair that characterized him as fire nation and so she couldn't find reason to be hostile.
The first thing Zuko was aware o was the metallic taste of blood in his mouth.
Azula really packs a punch. He thought dimly. He took a breath and winced at how much effort I took him.
The next thing h felt was a soothing touching the wound in his back. Cold and gentle seemed throughout his body. He opened his eyes with a groan and saw Katara. She was crying and hr hair was down. For some reason he noted that. It was the first time he had seen her hair down, he realized.
She look better like this, he thought, Whoa. Where did that come from?
He didn't have much time o ponder thought .Soon he felt sleep nag at him and he gave in felling strangely safe and not really caring if he wasn't.
Azula looked down at her 2 friends from the throne. The Earth Kingdom had finally fallen. This was something shewell her father-had been waiting for years. The biggest Fire Nation conquest yet.
Zuko should be here.
She wanted him here. Celebrating with her. After all, Zuko was the only one se could recall ever talking to who actually listened-aside from her mom sometimes.
Mai sometimes listened. It wasn't like she talked-ever-but Azula might as well talk to a wall. It'd show the same interest.
Her uncle had a tendency to give stories or lectures ha were painfully long and didn't seem to have anything to do with what she had just said. Giving her the felling that he hadn't been listening to her at all. Plus he and Lu Ten had always been closer to Zuko anyway.
And Ty Lee and her father were….well, Ty Lee and her father. The war would end before she even considered talking to either of them.
All in all, talking to anyone but Zuko resulted in her learning nothing but a whole new level of frustration.
She wanted to take off and find him this instant but her father had ordered them to stay put. And if there was on lesson the young princess had learned. It was not to cross The Fire Lord.
"Cant sleep?"
Zuko was surprised to find a 12-year-old girl leaning casually of the cave they were camping at for the night. Milky green eyes stared at him openly in a way no one else in the group did-maybe Katara did but it was hard to tell at times.
Either way, Zuko felt she was the only one truly willing to give him a chance.
"How can you tell?" he replied the realized how stupid that sounded. But the girl merely shrugged.
"You're awake." She walked over to the ire and sat next to him. Zuko glanced at her and realized just how differently Toph's attitude towards him was from everyone else's. Sokka never talked to him and as never around him without that trusty stick of his. He also did everything in his power to keep him away from Katara. Which he supposed could be Older-brother-syndrome. But it could also be ate -the-fire-prince syndrome
Aang avoided him at all costs. He hadn't even seen the monk since they landed"
"I'm sorry about your uncle"
Toph's voice broke Zuko away from his train of thought.
"I knew you guys were close"
"He was like a father to me" He answered ad for once; he didn't hesitate in stating how he felt. Didn't feel remorse or cared if he was dishonoring his father.
"We'll get him back" she said reassuringly. There was no doubt in he voice and he could swear, had her eyes not been filmed by blindness, they'd be bright with defiance, matching the smug smirk the earth bender always wore on her face.
Like Azula's, he thought painfully.
That was why the young earth bender had tugged at his heartstring-also the fact that she treated him like a decent human being.
Even thought looked nothing alike, it didn't take Zuko long to see past their appearances and notice the many things they had in common the main on being their personalities. Both were born leaders, daring anyone in the world to try and contradict or control them. How in their mindset, they were invincible and always had to get their way.
"I am the greatest Earth-bender in the world!" She had shouted triumphantly after defeating a circle of soldiers shortly after coming into the battle with Sokka. "And don't you boulder brains ever forget that!"
It was at that moment that Zuko had felt both like laughing and crying. He could easily picture Azula saying that, then laughing-God what he wouldn't give to hear her laugh like she used to.
But the faces of the soldiers were hard to look at with a straight face. They were obviously surprised-how were they to expect that a mere child –blind at that!-had managed to outwit and beat them in a matter of minutes. Zuko didn't really know exactly how Toph "saw" but he was sure she was aware of the hilarity of the situation by the smug smile plastered on her face.
The similarities the earth-bender prodigy shared with his sister-the mot obvious one being thy ere both prodigies-made Zuko feel a strange affection for the youngest bender (AN: she's either 11 or 12.Ad Aang is technically 112 years old).
He wanted to protect her from whatever had changed his baby sister. Wanted to take her away from the war and all the horrors it brought was so strange he was slightly taken aback by it. But only slightly, it was the same same as feeling like his uncle was more of a father to him that the Fire Lord. It just felt right.
Toph felt the Fire Bender relax, and knew by his body language that he was smiling. She still didn't get why everyone treated him like the scum of earth when he had clearly proven himself by saving Aang's life. Katara was nice o him but Toph figured that was usual Sugarqueen-behaviour. Also that it had to do more with the way the guy looked that ho he was.-fire bender-crush on the side-
Then again, h mused, that as the difference between her and everyone else. She couldn't actually see Zuko. But she didn't need to. She knew Zuko was telling the truth when he said he meant them no threat. She heard the sad edge on his voice and knew he just wanted to make amends and end the war that had taken so much from everyone once and for all. It confused that sight-which was supposed to make ting clear-kept everyone from really seeing that Zuko simply wanted this to end.
It never bothered her that The Fire Lord was Zuko's father. Sokka could say what he wanted about why Zuko would turn his back on royal life to help them but she knew better than anyone that life at the palace wasn't necessarily perfect
It's like I told Aang, she thought, sure it's the life. Just not our life.
"Ho old are you" Toph glanced-or would have but in her case just turned-to the direction the voice had come from.
"Eleven"
Zuko flinched. Eleven-years-old and fighting a World War. Did she even know what was going on? The risks she took everyday?
"Why are you…? He trailed off trying to find the right words. "What are you doing this?"
"Honestly" she said staring into the fire "kind of the same reason you are"
Zuko gave her a confused frown then realized she couldn't see it. "What do you mean?"
"Life at the Palace isn't as fun as it seems. My parents... I guess they love me and...And they want hats best for me. They just didn't care if I wanted it"
"So you joined 2 boys, a girl and a monkey in a quest to bring peace to the world" he said skeptically
"Well its not like I didn't try talking to them first!" she said defensively, then sighed "I know it sounds crazy"
"Not really" he said gazing at the fire "I had a..." he paused thinking o how to describe Ty Lee. "I used to b friends with someone who didn't like her parent's plans for her and ran away to join the circus"
"Your lying" she started to laugh and Zuko managed a half-smile and the star of what would have been a laugh had depression not settled around the ex-prince Talking about Ty lee reminded him of Azula .And everything he had turned his back on. Everything he couldn't get back. "I swear I'm telling he truth"
Zuko closed hi eyes for a moment. Hearing Toph's laughter was bringing back memories. And memories were the one thing he young renegade had learned to avoid at all costs. But he didn't react fast enough and before he could shut the memory bank, a single memory slipped trough the cracks.
"Zuzu?"
Seven-year-old Zuko looked up from his sketchpad and found a little girl that looked around 4 or five at a push. Her raven black hair was pulled in to a messy topknot.
"Azula what are you doing out of bed?"
"I had a nightmare"
The younger girl walked towards the windowsill and without a word climbed up and sat next to him, leaning into her brother. Not crying, but seeking comfort all the same. He in turn put an arm around her shoulder and held her in a protective embrace, forgetting about his drawing. Both of them fell so easily into their rolls of older and younger siblings one would swear they were told to do s.That the importance of loking after each other was taugt from birth.
It HADNT. But it came naturally to them none the less.
"I dreamt that a monster came into my room and took me away. And...And you tried to stop it b...but...but it hurt you" by now tha little girl was one again in tears .Filled with terror for something she didn't knooww o understand. Unsure f what frightened her so much or why.
"Shhh.Azula. Monsters aren't real" He said the last part almost comically. Everyone knew monsters were just made up. Yet Azula woke up every other night crying in error. Claiming she'd seen one. Zuko felt is baby sister shudder, obviously remembering some fragment f her dream and he stroke her gently Running is had trough her air. "It was just a dream"
Azula calmed down then. She looked up whipped her tears away and nodded. Her older brother's words being the only reassurance she needed. Just then their cousin Lu Ten rushed in excitedly. The 14-year-old's eyes were wide "Zuko! Youre not gonna believe...Azula? What are you doing here?
"I asked her to stay" Zuko lied. He knew he could get in trouble but didn't want to rat her out "I wanted to show her a new sword trick I learned". The older prince frowned down at his baby cousin "Zuko. Uncle Ozai's not going to like this."
Zuko bit his lip. His father had been in a mood and he didn't want him mad at him. Again
"You won't tell will you Lu Ten?" Zuko asked giving the teen is best pleading look
Lu Ten's expression softened. He smiled and ruffled the younger prince's hair. "Nah I won't tell Guess what? Dad got me new swords! He says I'm ready for advanced training"
Zuko's mouth dropped" really?"
Lu Ten nodded exaggeratingly as if not believing it himself "I could teach you some of the dual swords moves... What do you say?"
Zuko nodded excitedly.
"Hey! What about me?! I want to learn too!
Both bys looked back at Azula. She was pouting and a scowl had placed itself n her little forehead. The little Princess wasn't used to being ignored. And she did not like it one bit. Lu Ten rolled his eyes at the youngest child. "Azula. Everyone knows girls don't fight." He saw something move out of the corner f his eye and turned just in time see the pillow before it hit him in the face.
A sir crossed is face and Azula realized what as coming too late. She tried to hide behind Zuko but her cousin caught her easily and tickled her as they both fell to the ground
"Zuzu! Help! Azula said between gasps of breath as she squealed wit laughter Zuko aimed himself at hi cousin who outmaneuvered him easily He found a pillow and gave the elder prince a playful smirk.
"Hey 2 against one isn't fair!" The teen said lamely. He grabbed a pillow of his own. Azula followed fit. The trio sprung into action and laughter filled the room.
Azula stifled a yawn and snuggled closer t her brother. Lu Ten had left to work on his studies and she had convinced Zuko to let her stay in his room
"I love you Zuzu" se whispered drowsily. Zuko kissed the top of hr head ad they drifted off t sleep.
Zuko gazed into the fire and sighed.
What happened to you Azula?
That was the last memory he had of the happiness he'd once known. What could happen on the short time span of a year that had changed hi baby sister so drastically? Because that's when Azula had changed After she was sent to that academy. Zuko would never forget the shock he had felt when he gazed into her eyes. The same year he had lost his mother and his cousin he had-in a way-lost his sister
Ill get you back He promised silently. He refused to loose everyone. He didn't know how but he would get Azula back. After all h was her big brother. If he didn't save her. Who would?
He would get hr back and he would also confront his father for taking her in the first place one and for all.
An:Done. I ont update'il I update my other fics Seeing as it is past midnight I don thin Ill be writing anay time soon