Don't own ATLA. And yes when I said I'd do a christmas gift it is my goal to update every fic, which means three left after this! And I hope you guys are enjoying this little treat because I sure am! I can't believe I forgot how fun these fics were!
A bell rang through the Fire Nation palace city as chills crept up the spines of all civilians. However there was four children who were captivated by it's lovely sound, unsure of what it meant.
Cautiously they approached a young woman whose face was hidden by a cloak "Excuse me? Do you know what that bell is for?" the oldest girl asked.
The woman shivered, looking darkly at the palace "It signals an execution, one personally delivered by the Fire Lord" she said, her voice dark.
The four kids looked at her in shock "We have to go, thanks" the girl said, looking sick.
Quickly they ducked into a side ally where the oldest boy turned to the youngest one "So Aang, what's the plan?" he asked.
Aang glared at him "Hey, you're the idea guy" he stated.
Katara glared at them both "Voices down" she told them.
Sokka sighed "Obviously this is going to be Zuko like we saw on that poster, why I don't know. But thanks to Katara's mothering instincts…" Katara shot him a dark look "…we have to save him. Right now we don't know where they would be keeping him and it's to dangerous to look, we do still need to keep Aang's cover. Now, I think we need to wait until the actual event, it'll be close but we should be able to pull it off" he said.
The others exchanged uneasy glances "And how do you know all this?" Katara asked.
Sokka took out a small paper "That flyer you found, it has the information on it. But we have to hurry" he whispered.
Line break
On the balcony of the Fire Nation Palace two figures stood with their heads held high. One was Fire Lord Ozai, his face blank with a cold look in his eyes. The other was Prince Zuko. His hands were in front of him and encased with a thick metal to keep him from bending.
His feet were the same way, completely covered by a thick heavy metal. However he held his head high with defiance in his eyes. Ozai turned to where a crowd gathered around the balcony "Today!" he called out, his voice carrying across the city "We witness the death of a traitor! I have received word from some patrol men that the Avatar lives!" boos rang out from the crowd.
Below the gang exchanged glances "Well since covers blown we might as well go full out" Sokka whispered.
Above them Ozai continued "When asked about this Zuko responded that he knew full well he was alive, but withheld that information" he said, his expression dark.
Zuko shot him a death glare, remaining silent. Ozai turned to him angrily "I give him one last chance to tell me the truth" he told the surrounding people.
The world grew quiet and still as everyone waited for the ex-prince's answer. Zuko stood proud and defiant as he combed the crowd carefully "I know that the Avatar is alive and will end this war and bring back the peace that we long so much!" he shouted for all to hear.
The gang watching exchanged startled looks "How would he know?" Sokka asked.
Katara blushed "I told him about the oasis water, he probably put two and two together" she said sheepishly.
Aang then turned back upwards silently to see them putting a metal contraption around Zuko's mouth to prevent him from using his breath of fire. Suddenly he noticed something, a hot liquid dripping slowly off of Zuko's hands.
Aang smirked and turned to Sokka "Hey Sokka, use your boomerang to get rid of Ozai" he said.
Sokka nodded, pulling his boomerang out. He watched carefully for the right moment as Ozai neared Zuko. Ozai then began moving his fingers, lightning crackling around them. With swift movements Sokka through the boomerang.
It soared through the air and hit Ozai's head, just in time to knock the lightning astray. The crowd grew silent, forming around Sokka as he calmly caught his boomerang. However at that moment commotion broke out as several things happened.
The piece of balcony Zuko was on had begun to break as Ozai was pelted with arrows. Zuko took his chance and launched a fire blast at him through his fisted cuffs that now had a hole melted through. He then did the same with his feet, blasting him back as the balcony cracked some more.
Zuko stumbled into the railing, his face paling as he looked down. Ozai glared at him, launching a swift first blast that was blocked by a stream of water. Below the chaos many cheers broke out at the assault on their leader as Sokka made his escape.
Finally the balcony broke off, falling to the ground. However Zuko didn't fall with it. Instead he was grabbed by a red blur that pulled him to safety. Aang smiled as he hoisted Zuko on his back who had strangely gone unconscious, slightly worrying Aang.
Guards rushed towards him and his friends circled him, ready to defend them. The were also joined with the lady from earlier who held a bow in her hands. Aang quickly took out a bison shaped whistle and gathered as much air as he could before blowing it.
For a few moments silence reigned as people waited tensely for something to happen. Sokka turned to his friend dryly "Are you sure that's not broken?" he asked.
Just then a shape flew over head, signaling Appa's appearance. Aang smiled "Positive" he responded.
He then turned to the lady who watch Appa in a mixture of happiness and fear "You had better come with us" he said. She nodded, readying herself for a fight to get out. It wasn't necessary though as many civilians ran forward, keeping the guards at bay.
Appa swiftly landed by the gang, groaning at all the noise. Aang smiled as he air bended himself onto him with Zuko on his back. The gang quickly scrambled on after him "Appa yip yip!" Sokka shouted.
Appa groaned again as he took off into the air "Where to?" Sokka asked, taking the spot at Appa's reigns.
Aang shot a look at the chaos behind him where Ozai glared darkly "I don't care, somewhere safe" he said.
Sokka nodded, flying north as he pulled out a map "It looks like the Western Air Temple is closest" he shouted back.
Aang nodded silently, laying Zuko on the ground "Toph we need to get this metal off of him" he told her.
Toph smirked cracking her fingers before gently touching the metal, feeling it carefully. She flashed Aang a smile "Piece of cake" she told him.
She then grabbed each piece one by one, squeezing the metal until it broke clean. Aang then turned to Katara who was hovering behind nervously "Katara I need you to see what's wrong with him" Aang told her.
Katara nodded, taking water out of her pouch as she laid it on the young teens chest. For a few agonizing minutes everyone watched with bated breath as she nervously moved her hands in a circle. Around them a cloud began forming thanks to Aang, though his expression kept shooting anxiously towards the unconscious teen.
Finally Katara let out a sigh of relief. The relief spread quickly as Zuko groaned, slightly, his eyes blurry. He looked carefully at the woman who had helped out "What…" he stared in confusion.
The woman lowered her hood to reveal a middle aged woman with black hair and amber eyes. Zuko smiled weakly "I thought you were dead" he told her.
The gang exchanged confused looks before watching as the woman frowned, carefully touching his scar. Zuko winced as she caressed it slowly "Don't" he muttered.
The woman's frowned deepened "Zuko…Your father is a monster. I can see you blame yourself for that but it's his fault. Never forget who you are" she said.
Zuko stayed silent, slowly sitting up, wincing slightly "But that's the thing…I did, and I'm so sorry mom" he whispered.
Line break
Katara was the first to react, anger lighting up in her eyes "You told me your mother was dead!" she accused.
Zuko didn't look at her, instead choosing to close his eyes "I thought she was" he said.
He then looked at his mother, tears pouring from his good eye "Why did you leave? Why didn't you tell me you were alive? You left me with Azula and Ozai! You know perfectly well how evil they are" he accused.
Ursa sighed "I had no choice. You see Zuko, remember when Azula told you that your father was going to kill you?" Zuko nodded slowly, his eyes narrowing "She was right. I begged him not to and I gave him…a plan" she then stopped, tears forming into her eyes as guilt covered her face.
She quickly scooped Zuko into a hug "Zuko I am so sorry. I did the only thing I could to save you…I killed Azulon" she revealed.
Zuko's eyes widened and he shook his head, shock playing on his face as horror lit in his eyes. Ursa bowed her head low, tears forming in her eyes "I am so sorry Zuko…my son. I am so sorry for leaving you but I had no choice. Ozai told me that if I didn't leave then he would kill you" she said regretfully.
Zuko lowered his head, his eyes closed "But at least he allowed you that last goodbye. Without it I would have lost hope and truly been lost to his evil" he said, smiling weakly at her.
He then groaned, shaking slightly in pain. Instantly worry crossed everyone's face and water shot to Katara's hands "Where does it hurt?" she asked.
Zuko shook his head "Not hurt…poison to weaken me so I couldn't fight back" he whispered in slight pain.
Ursa flinched but leaned forward, cupping her sons cheek "But now your free" she said.
Zuko smiled weakly at her as Katara moved forward, her hands still covered "I can check if the poison is fatal" she explained sorrowfully.
Ursa nodded, motioning for her to continue. Zuko groaned again as the water touched his chest "Cold" he gasped out.
Katara smiled sympathetically before she frowned in concentration, moving her hands back and forth before circling them multiple times. Finally she leaned away from him, the water slipping from her hands "Is he gonna be alright?" Aang asked.
Katara smiled "A little tired but yes. Like he said, it's designed to weaken. It's probably why he fell unconscious earlier" she explained.
Zuko nodded, his head drooping "I do feel really tired" he mumbled.
Ursa smiled warmly "Rest my son. Rest knowing that we have each other at last" she said.
Zuko smiled once more before laying down, falling deeply asleep.