The Banished Commander (ATLA fanfiction)

Twenty-three

Zuko's P.O.V.

I start to walk through Ba Sing Se, watching as the previous refugees are all corraling their things or children into their new homes.

"It's so nice to finally find a place where we are safe from the fire nation."

"I know. Constantly having to watch over my shoulder just because I aided the one with the mark one time."

"The one with the mark?"

"Yeah, she was banished from her home at the fire nation for having the Mark of the Dragons."

"Wow... that's kind of harsh..."

"Yeah but she's still alive and is now with the avatar."

"There's hope still for this war."

I shake my head before quickly making my way past them and heading towards the open fountain area before seeing the kids all around it, throwing their coins into the water. I smile before I hear footsteps step up next to me, Iroh standing next to me.

"You're worried about her?" He asks

"Zara? No. I know she can handle herself." I say "The group she's with will protect her with their lives. I've seen it."

"That's what she needs if your sister is still hunting them." He says

"Uncle, why does my father want to destroy the mark this bad?" I ask

"He sees it as a threat." He explains "To have the mark is a huge blessing, but a huge curse."

"But it's just more power..." I start

"But to your father who wants complete power, having somebody with more firepower then himself. He doesn't take it too lightly." Iroh says "That's what Jian had to learn before Zhao tried to kill him."

Zara's P.O.V.

"Toph!" I yell

I watch as she drops into the water, immediately trying to stay afloat.

"I'm coming!" Sokka yells

I watch as Suki dives into the water, heading directly towards Toph's last location.

"Aang, Katara, we need you to distract the serpent." I yell

I start a fire in my hand before creating a stream, heading straight towards the serpent. The mark starting to burn almost immediately, resulting in me stifling a scream.

"Zara!" Katara yells "Be careful!"

"Sokka, get Than and the others away from the direct danger." I instruct

"What about Toph?" He yells "Suki still hasn't come up with her."

I look back towards the direction that Toph had fallen to see Suki and her pop up for a second before the serpent splashes then away with its tail, throwing them back underwater.

"Sokka, I got them. Just get the others out of danger." I yell "Aang, Katara, you need to distract the serpent to get it away from this area."

I take a deep breathe before diving into the water, kicking towards the two before heading towards the top. I see Toph take a deep breathe before exclaiming her thanks to Sokka and giving Suki a big kiss on the cheek. I chuckle before I see Suki explain and Toph's face goes blank. I swim over before stopping.

"Alright girls, we need to get to the shore. Quickly." I instruct

Suki and Toph get to shore before quickly climbing up towards where Sokka is with the three travelers. I nod before starting to swim towards the shore again, looking around for Katara and Aang.

"Zara!" Katara warns

I see the serpent coming towards us before grumbling and trying to create some fire in my hand.

"Shit..." I hiss before seeing a wave of water in front of me

I get thrown onto the trail again before I see Katara and Aang starting a whirlpool before meeting back up with us.

"Guys!" Suki yells

I turn around to look at the group before I see Than holding his wife up.

"Ying is in labor. We need to help her." She explains

"Katara, you need to take lead." I start "You're the most experienced."

She nods before starting to boss people around.

Zuko's P.O.V.

I look around Ba Sing Se through the window before I hear Iroh talking to somebody. I walk out of the room to the kitchen to see Jian and Iroh sitting across from each other.

"Have you seen Zara yet?" Iroh asks

"Yeah. I saw her at the ferry stop. She's grown up quite a bit." Jian starts "Seeing her fighting for what she believes in..."

Iroh chuckles before nodding as he sips his tea.

"She definitely took after you more than anything. Her mark of hers though, that's what impresses me the most lately." Iroh starts "It's helped her gain lots of power. Even Azula seems to be scared of her."

"Ahh, yeah, Azula wasn't really scared of anything if I remember correctly." Jian laughs

"She still isn't. That's why she hasn't stopped hunting me and uncle." I but in "And hasn't stopped trying to get to the avatar even with Zara protecting him."

Jian looks at me before chuckling as he sips his tea. Uncle watches the interaction before laughing, his hand on his stomach.

"We're here now. We should be safe." Iroh says "I'm only assuming Zara is about to make her way here."

Jian nods as he looks back at his friend, setting his tea cup down.

"She was supposed to take the ferry until a group of travelers lost their stuff along with their tickets. She decided to go with them along serpents trail." Jim explains before looking at me

"You going to make amends with her when she arrives?" Iroh asks

"Do it before Jet is given the opportunity." Jian says "From what I can make of him, he doesn't exactly fit Zara's personality."

I laugh before looking back out the window.

"That's an understatement if you really know Zara. I barely fit her personality." I start "Or at least that how it used to be."

I shrug before walking out of the apartment and heading towards the center of town. Watching as the little kids are running around, barely avoiding the vendors. I smile before turning towards the fountain again, seeing a girl there, freezing in my spot.

"Oh, I didn't think anybody would be here this late in the day." I start

The girl laughs as she looks at me, rubbing the back of her neck.

"Nobody usually is." She starts

I smile before slowly walking over to the fountain.

"I'm Jin." She introduces before looking away

"Lee." I state