Fire and Aether

Chapter 35: The Rescue

    The next morning dawned bright and early, the sunlight pouring through the trees. Team Avatar 2.0 woke up to the feeling of warmth that accompanied it. It was mutually decided that the group could afford to take a break for a few days to rest and get to know each other.
    That morning, they lounged around, telling stories and idly making chit chat. Eventually, Zuko won over most of the group and they were all laughing at each other. The only flies in the ointment seemed to be Katara who refused to give the Fire Nation prince a chance.
    As Zuko continued a story, his hand brushed against Rose's. He looked at her and she blushed. He began to have hope she would forgive him soon.
    Over the next couple of days, the group got to know each other more and grew closer. Rose appeared to be dancing around Zuko. Like before, she laughed and flirted with him in a good-natured fashion. However, any time he attempted to make a move, she pushed him away again, claiming she wasn't ready yet. Zuko knew he had to make it up to her but he had no idea how.
    One day, a few days later, Zuko went to talk to Aurora, walking into her room without knocking. "Hey, Aurora. It's Zuko."
    "I know." she said, coming out of her trance, using magic to shut the door behind him. "Normally, I don't like to be disturbed when I'm on my own but I just finished my mediation for the day."
    "I need help."
    "All you need to know is that you and the Avatar are meant to be. And what is meant to be, will be."
    "But she doesn't love me anymore." Zuko bemoaned.
    "That which is meant for each other will always be. Her love for you has not faded but her mind is at war with her heart. She needs a show of faith, something to prove that you truly love her."
     "And how do I show her?"
     Aurora was silent for a beat. "Rose has lost much during this war. Her family has been captured by the Fire Nation. While you may be able to save them all some day, there is one in particular who is in danger--her mother."
     "How do I find her?"
     Aurora sighed. "Just a moment, dear." With that, she took a deep breath and went into a trance, her eyes turning white as her voice rang out, sounding like a hundred voices at once:
     "Queen Ophelia, wife of King Ryder and mother of the Avatar, was captured after the invasion plan failed. She sacrificed herself to make sure that the Avatar and friends would escape. While most prisoners were sent to various Fire Nation prisons, the Queen was brought to the biggest threat to our people.
     "Your father is a threat, yes, but an even bigger threat are the witches. Your father has allowed himself to be seduced by the Witch, Malvina. Malvina and her sister, Ambrosia, have captured the Queen and keep her hidden, intending on using her as bait to lure out the Avatar.
     "They care not for the Fire Lord's wellbeing. They only wish to be rid of the Avatar so they have the power to get revenge on their enemies. Queen Ophelia must be found but not by the Avatar."
    That said, Aurora came back out of her trance, her eyes returning to their normal color. "Then I will save her." Zuko said.
    "You will need help."
    "Then come with me."
    Aurora was quiet a moment. "Someone's listening."
    The door burst open, causing Aang to fall into the room. "What are you doing?" Zuko asked.
    "Whatever you're doing, I want to help."
    "Why?"
    "Rose is the only family I have left." Aang answered. "I would do anything for her. If that means I help you save her mother and bring the two of you back together, I will do it. Just know, though, if you ever hurt her after this, I will end you."
    Zuko sighed. "Understood."
                        * * * * *
    It took almost a full day to find the right place but finally they did. Ophelia was hidden inside of an old abandoned cottage, placed under what appeared to be some kind of spell.
    "Be careful." Aurora warned. "Malvina would've booby trapped this place."
     Zuko was the one who found Queen Ophelia encased in what appeared to be a giant crystal. He had been careful to avoid any traps that might even lined the room. As he reached the giant crystal, he reached out to release the Queen.
    Suddenly, an unseen force knocked him backwards, causing the wind to get knocked out of him. Malvina and Ambrosia appeared from a dark corner, the lead witch laughing wickedly.
     "Did you honestly think it would be that easy?"
     Zuko got into position, preparing to fight, but, as it turned out, no fight was needed. Aurora blew what looked like dust in their faces, causing the witches to fall unconscious.
     "Hurry." Aurora warned. "We need to get out of here."
     The group managed to release the Queen from the crystal, causing her to fall into Aurora's arms. "Aurora? Aang?" she asked. "What are you doing here?" She turned to Zuko. "And who are you?"
     "A friend."
     The group then raced out the cottage before the witches woke up.
                          * * * * *
     "Hey. Has anyone seen Aang, Aurora, or Zuko?" Rose asked.
     "I haven't seen any of them at all today." Sokka answered.
     "I haven't seen them since last night." Catie added.
     "Rose!" A voice called from beyond the temple.
     Rose looked over to see, to her surprise, her mother, followed by Aurora, Aang, and Zuko. Her and Catie rushed into Ophelia's arms for a hug.
     "How?"
     Queen Ophelia smiled. "I was captured by our enemies but your friends found me." She gestured to Zuko. "That young man of yours is very impressive. He risked his life to save mine."
     Rose looked over to Zuko. "Thank you, Zuko."
     He nodded. Rose turned away, taking her mother by the hand to lead her to the fire for food and to talk. Aurora appeared next to Zuko. "Give her a moment. They need to catch up."
     Aurora moved to sit down next to the fire herself. Zuko simply smiled. Even if Rose didn't forgive him, she was happy. That was all that mattered...
                       * * * * *
     A knock sounded at his door later that night when he had decided to lay down for bed. Zuko walked over to the door and opened it to find Rose standing there.
     "Hey."
     "Can we talk?" she asked.
     Zuko shook off the strange sense of deva ju and gestured for her to come inside.
     "I wanted to thank you for saving my mother. You didn't have to do that."
     Zuko smiled. "She means a lot to you. And..." His brown gaze burned into her eyes with an intense fire. "I would do anything for you."
     "I know." Rose nodded. "I...I want to trust you, to be with you--"
     "Just so you know," Zuko said, interrupting her, "I didn't want to betray you back in Ba Sing Se. Azula threatened to kill you if I didn't help her. I couldn't let you die. I regretted my decision the moment it was made. And I struggled with what to do. From the moment I returned home, all I wanted was to be by your side."
     Rose looked up at him in surprise, her hazel eyes wide. "It wasn't your decision?"
     He shook his head. "It tore my heart in two to betray you, to see you hurt, to leave you...I tried to move on with an old girlfriend but...it didn't work."
     "Oh..." Rose said, disappointment clouding her eyes at his confession of being unfaithful to their bond.
     "It didn't work because she wasn't you. It's you, Rose. It's always been you. I've always loved you and I always will."
    Rose fell into his arms. "I forgive you." she whispered. She then stood on her tiptoes and pressed her lips against his. "I love you, Zuko. You have my heart...and always will."
    Grabbing her more into his arms, Zuko lead her to his bed. They spent the night reuniting with each other and, by morning, all was well....
                      * * * * *
     Malvina screamed in anger, cursing angrily. "Not only have those imbeciles rescued the queen, but now the prince has restrengthened his bond with the Avatar!"
    She paced the floor, trying to figure out what to do next. "The only consolation prize I have is that we still have the Avatar's brothers. Unfortunately, a certain Fire Lord has seen fit to start transporting prisoners to different prisons all over the Fire Nation and we don't know which one."
    Ambrosia slowly awoke. "What's going on, sister?" Malvina turned to see her sister's eyes had changed from those bright green they usually were to a crystal blue in color. "Why are we doing this? Is this what our family would want?"
    "We do what we must to avenge them, my dear, sweet girl."
     "Well I don't want you to become a monster because of what happened to them. I'm going to stop you before you do something you can't undo."
     Ambrosia started towards the door when Malvina knocked her out. Her own eyes glowed red, making Ambrosia's eyes turn a bright green once more. Malvina's eyes again turned to their usual black.
    Taking her sister into her arms, she laid her down gently. As she pet her hair, she spoke, "I know you are far too kind and soft hearted to do what needs to be done. That's why I will.
    "Everyone who hurt us, who took our sisters and brothers away must pay for what they've done. I will destroy them all, dear sister. Then, I will rebuild the world in our image. It will be a place where those of us with magic will be safe and happy. That's all that matters. Everyone else is just collateral damage.
     "Never fear, my sweet sister. This time I will not fail."