Zuko was conflicted.
As he ran down the tunnels his mind was a whirling maelstrom. Uncle had said he would take care of things above ground while Zuko took care of the underground with Katara and The Avatar. He knew what Uncle wanted him to do. Support The Avatar in his time of need against Azula. He didn't want to let Uncle down. But there was a part of him that wanted to help Azula. If he helped her now and captured the Avatar then his mission would be complete and his honor would be restored. However Azula had betrayed and attacked him many times before and the Avatar and his group had supported, helped, and fought beside him on a few occasions. Uncle had said he was at the crossroads of his destiny. As he heard the first signs of battle his mind went back to that strange fever dream he had not too long ago. It also showed that he had a choice to make. But which path was the right one?
When he entered the large crystal cavern he saw a standoff. Azula, the Avatar, and Katara stood in a triangle staring each other down. This was the perfect time for his entrance. He shot a fireball that exploded between The Avatar and Azula. He felt more than saw all eyes turn to him as he walked through the smoke in a standard fire style stance ready to shoot a fireball. As he came into view he angled his body to line up a shot with Azula who seemed annoyed at his betrayal. However he didn't take the shot. Even as everyone was frozen waiting for his move. Despite all her treachery, she was still his best shot to get back home. His eyes cast to the Avatar, the one that he had to defeat. The young boy flinched obviously thinking he was about to be attacked. And Zuko was truly tempted to do just that. However his eyes cast to Katara and her promise to, for all sense and purpose, wash away his dishonor by hopefully being able to heal his scarred face with her magical water. Was that possible? If he fully turned his back to a nation that pretty much abandoned him could his honor still be restored? But he was the crown prince Zuko. Proud warrior of… No… he was the exiled prince. Denounced by his father. Even peasants of the earth nation knew that. No, there was no real future for him at his father's side. If he even got that far before Azula stabbed him in the back. He closed his eyes took a breath and threw his fist forward.
Azula gasped as she dodged the fireball flying at her face. Before she could do more than snarl though another flew, and another, and another. He threw them as fast as he could to keep her off balance. She dodged or redirected them with ease of course. However he was never to hit her. She never saw the blast of air that hit her. She was taken by surprise by the whip of water that struck her back. And there was no way she enjoyed the flare of fire that knocked her on her ass. As she stood to her feet she was already surrounded on three sides. Azula looked quite upset. Zuko knew that she might be able to take them one on one. She might even be able to hold her own against two of them. However a three on one was very much out of her favor.
The three of them prepared their next strikes as Azula looked around in a near panic. "Zuko, why would you betray me like this? Betray father? What do you think he will say?" She taunted most likely trying to destabilize him.
"He doesn't get a say anymore. He turned his back on me if your actions are any indication. It's also very hard to betray someone that wasn't on your side to start with." He called back causing his sister to frown deeply. It also brought all her attention on him.
She shot a blast of blue fire at him. He dodged quickly but in a way that left him open. Before she capitalized on the opening however she was hit by a wave of earth and grabbed by arms of water that held her immobile in the air. They had her. They did not mean they could down their guard though. Has he approached her cautiously along with avatar Aang he couldn't help but wonder something. Why she wasn't struggling? He wasn't sure how far in the fire arts she was, but he was sure she would have some trick up her sleeve to get out of this. Instead she just watched them approached with an annoyed frown. Like this was only a setback.
Then the ground shook. They were thrown back and Azula was released from her watery prison. The reason for such became rather apparent. Dai long warriors poured into the cavern. A group surrounded Katara who formed several watery tendril to keep them at bay. Another small group opposed Zuko however they weren't as tight as the ones around Katara. Apparently they hadn't expected him. The main bulk however was aimed at avatar Aang with Azula at the head. He could see the Avatar analyzing the situation. They were outnumbered and the opponents were highly skilled. Then he seemed to get a sad look on his face before turning his back and throwing up a dome of crystal around himself.
This shocked everyone into inaction. What was the Avatar doing? Was he abandoning the fight? The answer became quite apparent though when an immense power was felt from the crystal. There was only one answer. The avatar state. Everyone stepped back in awe. Except one. Zuko caught sight of azula sneaking around and lining up a shot as the crystal started to burst apart. He couldn't let that happen. Not like this. Zuko made his move as well. He had one shot at this. The empowered Avatar starting rising into the air. Power filled the cavern, overwhelming all within it. Except for two who were focused above all else on their tasked.
Azula smiled as she fired a blast of lightning at the exposed back of the being of pure power. Zuko gritted his teeth as he leapt for the blast extending his fingers. He felt the power flow through him as he attempted to redirect it. That power earth bender never knew what hit him. Azula was just pissed that her sneak attack was foiled.
However there was nothing more to be done as Zuko tried to stay on his feet. The Avatar was now turning his power against all those that would stand against him. The winds swept through the caverns sweeping the earthbending warriors aside. The waters of the small stream washed them away. The very earth turned against them. The Tide seemed to turn in their favor again. However there was still a problem.
They were still outnumbered.
