Disclaimer: I don't own Atla
Later after their shift was over, Zuko and Lenetta headed over to the Freedom Fighter's place. Jin was also there since she was hanging out with Jet. The two teens told their friends about how Iroh was getting his own tea shop in the Upper Ring. The Freedom Fighters and Jin were happy about this but Jet discovered a small problem.
"Wait, how are you going to hang out with us." Lenetta looked down and thought for a moment.
"We can still come down to the Lower Ring. People in the Upper Ring can come and go as they please." Lenetta told them as the Freedom Fighters all nodded.
Zuko and Lenetta left soon after. As they walked through the streets Zuko saw a sheet of paper on the ground. It was a Lost Bison poster. More specifically the Avatar's Bison. Zuko's eyes widened as he read the poster over and over again. This is your chance. This is your chance to gain Father's love. But Father will never love us, he doesn't love anyone, not even Azula.
"Zuko, are you ok?" Lenetta asked him with concern. She could feel his inner discord. She took his hand and squeezed it gently.
"Do you really want to go back to a man who would do so much horrible things? Not only this war, but he's treated you horribly all your life. I don't think you really want to go back to the Fire Nation and pretend you think what they're doing is right." Lenetta watched him closely. His emotions were written all over his face. Poor Zuko was so conflicted, he knew what was right, but for three years, capturing the Avatar was his drive, his only chance to regain his honor. But now I know no one can give you your honor. It's something you earn for yourself, by choosing to do what's right. Helping the Avatar is what's right.
"Lenetta I'm going to free the Avatar's bison. Will you help me?" Lenetta smiled at Zuko. "Of course I will."
They rushed back to the apartment and Zuko grabbed his Blue Spirit mask, outfit and swords. Lenetta put on a black outfit and tied a mask around her mouth and nose and pulled a hood over her head. She strapped her sword over her back. Zuko and Lenetta nodded at each other and rushed out.
They found a Dai Lee agent walking down an empty street close by. Zuko hid while Lenetta pounced on the agent, wrapping an arm around his chest and pressing her sword to his throat. "Stay still if you know what's good for you." She hissed in his ear. He trembled in her hold and gulped. She knew he wouldn't move but kept a tight hold on him.
Zuko walked out and immediately questioned him. "Where is the bison." He spoke in a threatening tone that even sent a shiver down Lenetta's spine. The agent immediately broke and released the information. He gave them directions to Lake Laogai and Zuko knocked him out and they ran off.
Whenever they got there it was already open. "The Avatar must be here already." Zuko told Lenetta. She nodded. "What do you want to do?" Lenetta asked him. He thought for a second. "If we can help it we shouldn't let the Avatar or his friends see us." Lenetta nodded and they immediately went in.
They ran quietly through the creepy place and they saw many horrifying things. Women being brainwashed and being told to repeat things, the place had a very creepy and threatening aura. The place felt sick and twisted and the fires around the place felt wrong.
"Let's hurry I don't like this place. The fire here is making me feel nauseous." Lenetta told Zuko quietly who also looked paler than normal. He nodded and they ran until they came across a cell that looked big enough to hold a ten ton flying bison. They opened the cell with the key they took off the agent. The bison growled at them both.
"Shh…it's ok buddy. We're here to help you. We're going to get you out of here, back to the Avatar." The bison stopped growling and Lenetta put a gloved hand up to his face and put it on his nose. The bison relaxed and Zuko walked up and cut the bison's chains. Zuko nodded and she jumped onto his head while he jumped onto the bison's back. "Alright buddy let's get you back to the Avatar." The bison growled in acknowledgment and he broke down the cells door.
Dai Lee agents came rushing forward and earthbent at them. Zuko and Lenetta struck the rocks with their swords and the bison airbent the agents away and they slammed into walls; knocking them out.
The bison seemed to know where his friends were because when they reached a big open room where the Avatar and his companions were the bison let out a giant roar which took care of the Dai Lee agents and he bit a man's leg which prompted him to run away.
"Appa!" The Avatar cried happily. Lenetta jumped off the bison's head and the Avatar turned to her. "You saved Appa, thank you!" Lenetta nodded and Zuko jumped off the bison's back and put a hand on Lenetta's shoulder. "Zuko!?" The Avatar cried out. The Avatar's friends took defensive stances.
"Zuko you saved Appa!?" The Avatar asked him bewilderedly. Zuko took off his mask and Lenetta pulled off her hood and mask. "Yes, I've come to a lot of realizations lately. I've realized I was wrong to hunt you down and try to capture you and to tie you to a tree and use your necklace to bribe you. I hope to be in a truce with you, I'm not wanting to hunt you anymore." Zuko had stepped forward and was in front of Lenetta but she could see the other's reactions. They were surprised at this but the Avatar grinned.
"Truce." The young Avatar stepped forward and offered his hand which Zuko took and they shook. Zuko stepped back and bowed which the Avatar reciprocated. "Good luck Avatar." The Avatar nodded at him. "My name is Aang by the way." Aang told him with a smile. Zuko nodded back and the others nodded back. They all went their separate ways before the unconscious agents could wake up.
Zuko and Lenetta were shocked to see Iroh standing outside the entrance to Lake Laogai. "Dad, how did you know where we were?" Zuko asked him shocked. "I found the unconscious Dai Lee agent and when he woke up he told me what happened and I had a feeling it was you two." Zuko and Lenetta looked sheepish. "I'm so proud of you son." Iroh hugged Zuko close. Zuko cried silently. "Thank you Dad." Lenetta had tears going down her cheeks as she watched this interaction. "Let's go home you two." Zuko and Lenetta nodded and they walked home however Zuko's steps were becoming more and more sluggish and he started to not look so good.