AtLA Rewritten: Edition 1

Chapter 2

"We're not gonna hurt you," he started, voice stiff with awkwardness. He spotted her eyes peering above a bin and choked. Her blue eyes contrasted beautifully with her dark hair. She was wearing a cropped maroon hoodie with black pants, four pockets lining her thighs, and a white drawstring around the waist. He looked away, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's a long story, to be honest." He glanced behind him, taking another step forward. "That kid with the headband? He's the Avatar." A thief wouldn't have much respect for the Fire Tribe. They were not easy on those who stole. "He can't firebend, and I've somehow lost control of mine so I can't teach him like I planned." He crept forward as he walked, until he was right in front of her. He extended his hand. "Um. Would you help us? We heard you're a great bender, and we need you. Katara is paying for what you stole. We can get you out of here safely, I promise."

She stood there, her eyes on him, moving to the scar on his face and slightly widening before looking away. She bit on her lower lip, then faced him when he mentioned the Avatar. "So it is true," she said. She brought her thumb to her lips and bit on it. She took a few steps forward; the light hit her and made her features visible. Zuko looked up and took a step back. "I'm not homeless, you know," she said, her arms crossing and her eyebrows furrowing as she scanned him. Up and down, up and down, then her icy gaze fixed on his golden eyes. "You are not safe here. You specifically, nor the Avatar and the rest of your little group." She approached him but stopped at a decent distance, only a few steps away from him. "I can lead you to safety," she stated calmly, her eyes looking behind his shoulder and then back at him.

Zuko jerked his gaze from hers, scratching his arm. He dropped his arms, looking her in the eye. "We're in disguises," he pointed out, though nothing could hide his scar, "and we don't camp anywhere near people. They've been in hiding for a while now. They know what they're doing." His breath quickened as she got closer, and he blinked his eyes hard. "I'm sure they'll appreciate somewhere to stay, no matter where it is. Can you get us out of here safely?"

Athlea looked at him. "You'd better use that hoodie over your head. You're the exiled prince and don't wanna blow your cover." Her hand moved to her hip. She looked over his shoulder again. "Your friends are seemingly waiting for you," she said and walked over, stopping right beside him. He held his breath, nodding and letting her pass. "If you would just kindly follow me." She pulled her hoodie over her head and stepped out of the alleyway. Zuko exhaled slowly before following her.

"Zuko!" Sokka called out just as he noticed the girl coming out of the alleyway--that was her! Right? "Aang, is that--?" he asked, tugging on the Avatar's sleeve.

"...Yes?" Aang responded, equally confused.

"Oi! What did you do?!" Sokka called out as she simply walked by.

As they left the shadows, Zuko made eye contact with Aang and Sokka and nodded once. He stopped by them, nodding after her, even though she was still walking. "She has somewhere safe we can stay," he told Aang. He glanced over at the shop, where Katara and Toph were returning from. "They're ready to leave. Let's follow her."

The girl kept walking ahead. They followed one by one as if they were all ducklings and she was the mother. Sort of. They walked in silence for a moment before their typical nosiness broke out, Zuko behind her watching her hair cascade over her back, Katara and Toph walking together behind him, and Aang and Sokka at the rear. They walked until they reached a bus stop, and there they got on the bus, which was empty. They each took a respective seat. Zuko stood, but the girl remained standing, holding the bar. He sat awkwardly. "You need a proper hoodie, everyone can recognise who you are from your robe." She finally spoke. Her voice was calm, smooth. Like the sea.

"Right," Zuko muttered.

"How can a girl be a master?" Sokka suddenly asked, arms crossed.

"What's wrong with being a girl?" Toph asked, clearly annoyed.