The Fire Within Us All (Completed)

Chapter Seven - I'm Comin Home

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Just as I had said, it ended too soon. He pulled away looking down. "I'm sorry. I had to do that at least once." I nod giving a sad smile as he walks off in the direction Katara went. I sit down against the rock and put my head against my knees.

"Doomed from the start." I mumble sighing. Guess I should go to them and stop moping.

"I used to think this scar marked me. The banished prince cursed to chase the Avatar for life. But lately, I've found out that I have the power to shape my own destiny. Even if I'll never be freed from this mark." Zuko tells her. I sit down behind a rock just to listen to their conversation.

"Maybe you could be free." It's selfish but I don't want it to go away. It's a part of the Zuko I've come to know.

"I have healing abilities." Katara says. "It's a scar. It can't be healed." I look around to see them looking at each other. "This is water from the Spirit Oasis at the North Pole. It has special abilities and I've been waiting for something important to come up. I don't know if it would work."

He closed his eyes as she touched his scar the same way I did. Before she could do anything, a bang sounded within the cave. I stood up to see Aang and Iroh standing there.

I couldn't have been more excited to see them in all my life!

Katara ran to Aang and Iroh ran to Zuko. They hugged while Aang and Zuko had a glare contest.

"Zuko we need to talk. You go and help your other friends, we'll catch up." Iroh says to Aang as he bows before running off with Katara in tow. "Arabella, I'm glad your safe." Iroh smiles and so do I before he starts to talk to Zuko.

"Why Uncle?"

"You are not the man you use to be Zuko. You are stronger, wiser, and freer than you have ever been. And now you have come to your Crossroad's of Destiny. It's time for you to choose good." Iroh says before the cave started to move.

"Iroh!" I yell running to him as he was surrounded in rocks. Zuko and I take defensive positions.

"I expected this kind of treachery from Uncle, but from you Zuko. Prince Zuko. You're a lot of things but you're not a traitor, are you?" Azula came down and faced us. "Release him immediately." Zuko says lowly.

"It's not too late Zuko. You can still redeem yourself. Same for you Arabella. No one knows that it was you, and no one ever will if you join me." Azula says smiling. That offer is enticing.

"The kind of redemption she speaks of is not for either of you." I look over a Iroh. If I don't accept this offer, she'll tell her dad and I'll be a criminal across the world. And, I could never return to the Fire Nation like I had planned.

"Why don't you let them decide Uncle. I need you both. I've plotted this whole day. This glorious day in Fire Nation history. The only way we win is together. At the end of this day, you will have your honor back. And you Arabella, will have your freedom back."

"You will have father's love Zuko. You will have everything you want. Arabella, I'll even arrange for you to stay with us so no harm will come to you." I look over at Zuko to see he's really thinking this over.

"Zuko. Arabella. I'm begging you. Look into your heart to see what you truly want." Iroh says as I look down.

What I want? I've never really asked myself this question. What do I want?

"You're free to choose." Azula walks off into the tunnel where Aang went.

I want to be happy and free but the only way to be free is to take up on her offer. I've always wanted to go home without having to act like a someone I'm not. I want to be able to firebend without someone being afraid of me or get in trouble by the person who sees me. The only bad thing about being in the Fire Nation is that I'm framed to be the bad guy by the rest of the world.