Under the Cherry Blossom ↠ Zuko x OC ✔️

05 | The Western Air Temple

Prince Zuko drops several ropes to reach the Western Air Temple.

"I'll be right back, Arlington. I promise." He kisses her forehead before descending down the ropes.

At the bottom, the Prince swings himself, gaining momentum with each swing, before jumping from the rope. He straightens up and looks around.

A flashback hits Zuko. It's of him a couple of days after his banishment. He groans and pinches the bridge of his nose. 'I can't believe I was so obsessed with capturing the Avatar. That's embarrassing.'

A growl from Appa draws Zuko's attention. To his surprise, he sees Appa fly behind a pillar. Zuko quickly crouches down. Once the ten-ton flying bison is out of sight, he begins climbing the ropes.

↠ ↠ ↠ ↠ ↠ ↠ ↠

Prince Zuko has set up his camp in a forest area near the temple. He used the tarp from the war balloon to create a shelter. Arlington, still unconscious, rests beneath the tarp. Zuko puts together a moss pillow for her.

"Hello, Zuko here." He raises his hand and waves awkwardly.
"But I guess you probably already know me... sort of. Uh...so, the thing is, I have a lot of firebending experience, and I'm considered to be pretty good at it. Well, you've seen me... you know, when I was attacking you? Uh, yeah...I guess I should apologize for that. But anyway, I'm good now. I mean, I thought I was good before, but now I realize I was bad. Ugh, but anyway... I think it's time I joined your group, and taught the Avatar firebending." Zuko cringes at his own introduction. 'That was awful...'

The frog in front of him loudly croaks.
"Well, what's your answer?!" The Prince yells at the animal. The frog ribbits and hops on Zuko's head before jumping off. He frowns.
"Yeah, that's what I'd say too."

Zuko takes a seat next to Arlington and hangs his head in despair.
"How am I supposed to convince these people I'm on their side? What would Uncle do?" He pretends to hold an imaginary beard on his chin and starts pacing.

"Zuko, you have to look within yourself, to save yourself from your other self. Only then will your true self reveal itself." Prince Zuko facepalms and sighs.
"Even when I'm talking for him, I can't figure out what he means. What would Azula do?"

"Listen, Avatar, I can join your group or I can do something unspeakably horrible to you and your friends. Your choice." Zuko says in a high-pitched voice. He sighs and thinks for a bit. "What would Arlington do?"

"Zuko, you know you made the wrong choice, but it's not too late to make the right one. If you're truly sorry for all that you've done, Aang and his friends will forgive you." Zuko sighs once more. He glances at Arlington. A few tears fall from his eyes.
"I guess I'm not that good at impersonations." Zuko sniffles.
The frog leaps in front of Zuko and croaks.

↠ ↠ ↠ ↠ ↠ ↠ ↠

Zuko sits peacefully in the main room of the Western Air Temple. He waits for the Avatar to show up. Arlington is hidden behind a pillar. This way, she won't get hurt if something happens.

The Gaang walks into the area where Zuko is. They see him and get into their attacking positions. 

"Hey, I heard you guys flying around down there, so I just thought I'd wait for you here." Zuko tries his best to sound friendly.

Appa enters the room and proceeds to lick Zuko. In surprise, Aang breaks his defensive position. Zuko wipes off the slobber with his arm.