Disclaimer: I do not own the Avatar, if I did, it would show Zuko wearing leather pants.
Zuko: Didn't I read that somewhere?
Pilar: Did you read my diary?
Zuko: N-noo (looking nervous), and what's with the leather pants?
Pilar: noooothing (whispers "It wouldn't hurt to wear them once while you're training without your shirt"), anyways, on with the show!
("Where did he go?" Zuko asked)
"Where did who go, Zuko?" Iroh asked getting a little worried. "I think you hit your head a little hard, why don't we fix that up, and maybe some jasmine tea to-"
"Enough with the tea!" Zuko yelled. He turned to the parents, who were a little frightened how his mood changed so quickly.
"You must know," Zuko said "There was a little boy in the same room with that girl," Zuko pointed at the baby,"
"I'm sorry," the mother shook her head, "But this is my only baby," and she hugged her child again. Then from no where, came a shout, "Stand still, so I can capture you Avatar!"
Zuko whipped around again in pain, and recognized the voice at once. It was Zhao. Zuko's blood started to boil whenever he thought about him, but then fear kicked in Zhao is going to capture the Avatar before me! NEVER! I can't let him win! I'll have to worry about the little boy later.
"Let's go Uncle! We have to capture the Avatar!" Zuko yelled, and started running in the direction of the fight between Zhao and Aang.
"Zuko! Shouldn't you rest before… aww forget it," and Iroh left the parents in a sprint to chase his nephew making sure that he doesn't over exhaust himself.
Meanwhile, Aang has been on the defense from Admiral Zhao. Zhao, unfortunately has the advantage mostly because there was fire all around them, and that whenever Aang would use his air bending, the fire's around him would get bigger because (science lessen, the more oxygen fire has, the bigger it gets). Other than that, Aang was getting very tired.
Zhao's blasts were becoming more powerful than the last. Zhao, dinged his feet into the ground and took a deep breathe. Then, he made a punch, and a wave a flames went towards Aang. Aang tried to block the attack with his staff, but it ended up being too much, and it ended up with Aang falling to the ground.
"Zhao!" Zuko yelled at the top of his breathe, just about saving Aang for Zhao was only a few feet away from him. "The Avatar is mine alone to capture!" and Zuko ran towards them, leaving a breath exhausted Uncle.
"Ahhh The banished Prince Zuko," Zhao drawled. "What brings you to this pathetic and conquered town?"
"Zhao," Zuko spitted. "You know my reasons. I came for the Avatar. He is mine to capture alone. Just leave before you do any more damage."
Zhao just cocked a smile. "Of course I know your reasons, but that doesn't mean you can boss me around." Zuko growled. "But it looks like I have finally seen you're true colors. You are a traitor to the fire nation."
"I'm NOT a traitor Zhao!" Zuko yelled, and his fists flamed up again. Aang was on the ground, watching this conversation going. He had no idea what was happening, but it seemed like they hated each other. Weird. I guess I should be thankful, that they didn't partner up to capture me.
"No traitor are you?" Zhao asked threatenely. "Look at you! You risked your life for some worthless earth kingdom baby. You're weak, and a disgrace to the Fire nation. I just wished that you're father would have just finished you off, to save everyone the agony of your life,"
Zuko's head was almost down, but then he remembered something. "NO!" Zhao stared at him. Zuko slowly was walking towards him. "I am not weak. You are the weak one. Royalty and fire runs in my blood, no matter what my father did to me. And as for the baby, you had no right to burn these people's houses down!" By this time, Katara and Sokka finally reached Aang and were helping him to get up. But they didn't run, as they usually did. They stayed and listened to this Prince's speech.
"Make you're move, because in the end, I will win for I have become stronger." Zuko finished going into a fight stance.
Zhao was not surprised that Zuko rebelled as usual. A movement caught his eye. A toddler that Zuko was carrying on his back before was walking around trying to find his mom and dad. An evil smile spread across Zhao's face and he finally said, without moving,
"Do you know why compassion, and love is such a dangerous thing, Prince Zuko,"
What is he up to? Zuko thought. He rarely says my royal name. "What?" Zuko asked quickly.
Zhao created a little fire in his hands, and started to play with it, bouncing back and forth between his hands. "Love and compassion always seems to get you burned." Zuko gasped. He knew what Zhao was going to do, because he saw the child near him. It was the same child that he saved and vanished.
Zhao kicked towards the little boy, and flames erupted from his foot. The little boy wouldn't move, for fear froze him. Zuko ran towards the little boy. Everything felt like it was in slow motion. Before the fire hit the boy, Zuko lunged for the boy, and used his back as a shield.
Zuko skidded, with parted of his back shirt burned. The little boy started poking Zuko, to wake up. And for the second time, darkness swallowed him in whole.