oOo
"I need your help."
oOo
"That's something we have in common."
oOo
"You will come to a better place."
oOo
"The coup is happening right now. We've gotta warn the Earth King!"
oOo
"This fight is over."
oOo
"Don't flatter yourself, you were never even a player."
oOo
"I've been saving it for something important. I don't know if it would work, but..."
The cave erupted with noise and dust.
"Aang!"
And of course she was interrupted. He would never catch a break. This was getting ridiculous. The Avatar burst in just in time to stop her from healing his scar. What were the odds? Guaranteed, apparently.
He watched the waterbender Katara rush over to hug the creature that had haunted him so long. And then his uncle stepped forward as if to hug him, but a vacant look froze him midstep.
"Aang, I knew you would come." She said, her voice grating on his nerves instead of half soothing as it had been mere moments ago. He turned back to his uncle.
"Uncle, I don't understand. What are you doing here with the Avatar?"
"Saving you, that's what!" The little brat actually-
Uncle, Iroh, caught his arm and held him back firmly. "Zuko. It's time we talked." He turned to the brat and Katara, the waterbender, and told them to go ahead, that they'd catch up later. Zuko was so far past angry he couldn't get a word out. The strangers left down the earthbent tunnel, leaving him alone with his uncle the traitor.
He looked away. "Why, uncle?"
Iroh took a breath first. "You are not the man you used to be, Zuko. You are stronger and wiser and freer than you have ever been! And now you have come to the crossroads of your destiny. It's time for you to choose. It's time for you to choose... Good."
And then the cave exploded with noise and crystal.
The crystals grew up in a line and immobilised Iroh instantly, spears of the glowing gemstone trapping him and holding his arms out awkwardly. Zuko was left free to take a bending stance.
Azula and two Dai Li agents slid into the room gracefully and stood, staring at them.
"I expected this kind of treachery from uncle, but Zuko. Prince. Zuko. You're a lot of things, but you're not a traitor... Are you?"
He stared at her almost idly as he dropped his stance, and thought she looked rather odd in green. Odd, but not bad. The forearm guards suited her somehow.
She continued on as if he wasn't staring at her blankly. "I made up that whole thing about an execution, by the way. I just wanted dear old uncle here to come with his friends to rescue you, and well, after the little scene earlier... I wasn't so sure he would come without a little extra incentive. Do you understand? It's not too late for you Zuko. You can still redeem yourself."
He stiffened. Not too late? He could... redeem...?
Iroh noticed and spoke up immediately. "The kind of redemption she offers is not for you."
That earned him a glare. "Why don't you let him decide, uncle?" She turned back to her brother and her expression softened. "I need you Zuko. I've plotted every move of this day, this glorious day in Fire Nation history. And the only way we win, is together. At the end of this day, you will have your honour back. You will have fathers love. You will have everything you want." She finished on a whisper.
Iroh frowned. "Zuko. I am begging you. Look into your heart and see what it is that you truly want."
It was too much. Zuko closed his eyes.
Azula actually looked a little disappointed. "You are free to choose." She waved back her escorts and continued on after the Avatar, footsteps echoing through the tunnel and his mind.
Azula always lies. But he no longer cared.
He turned and followed after the Avatar and his sister.