The Unpredictable Fire Adventurers [General Iroh II x Reader] [Legend of Korra]

『a timely rescue [4]

A/N: I know I posted an update on my profile about this issue, but I'm gonna put it here too. It came to my attention that the last chapter MIGHT not have had text to some people. I saw it on mobile but not on my laptop. If that did happen, I think I fixed that. If not, please let me know. If it's fixed, please make sure to read before you continue this chapter.

Anyways, time to finish the last of the Ba Sing Se arc! Enjoy! <3

[____]

You've accepted your fate.

After refusing to aid the organization, you are faced with your last option: death. The hot sensation of fire tickles your cheeks; your eyes shut close as you await the pain. 

"GET AWAY FROM HER!!"

The cry of your friend snaps you out of your terror-filled state, and you open your eyes to see Iroh. His flames cast a barrier between you and the man named Xai Bau. Relief floods your system as you feel Iroh's arms wrap around your waist and pull you to safety.

However, they don't hesitate in their counter attack. The woman glares fiercely at you two, which doesn't instill that much fear until her forehead begins to glow.

"I don't think that's good," you mutter.

Iroh is quicker in grasping the situation and shields your body with his. When you realize his valiant effort to protect you, you try to push him off so that you can be his shield instead. It's a futile attempt as his strength overpowers yours. 

You hear a beam go off and a loud explosion. When the smoke clears, you're still in a daze, your ears ringing with a piercing noise. Yet your safety isn't a priority and you check Iroh to see if he's okay. To your relief he's unscathed, and your attention is pulled to the two men who stand before you.

"A-Avatar Aang! And... Fire Lord... Zuko," you gasp in awe. As much as you'd like to bow down to them, your body is still being fiercely protected by Iroh. You shake the boy so that he knows you're alright, but his eyes are sewn shut as he anticipates death.

You open your mouth yet you can't speak. What you do feel is Iroh's absolute fear of losing you. It's powerful, suffocating, and confusing all at the same time.

"You think that this is order, Avatar. The peace you propose is only but a cage to these people," Xai Bau states from afar. It's then that you notice that there's a fight going on. Trees have been blown apart or in flames, holes litter the ground, and some of their robes are in tatters.

"Your ideas are that of an anarchist," Fire Lord Zuko retorts. He's the least injured of the group as he deflects each of that woman's beam with his overwhelming flames. 

"Anarchy must be accomplished to restore the TRUE peace!" he exclaims.

"What you speak of isn't true peace." The Avatar shakes his head. He's already taken down the man's underling and is fighting hand-to-hand with Xai Bau. He uses his airbending to his advantage, blowing at his feet to unbalance the man. It gives Aang the room he needs to overpower his enemy, but the man refuses to go down without a fight.

"We have to get out of here," you whisper. 

Your words break Iroh's concentration and he stares at you. Upon realization that you are safe, he gazes around his surroundings to understand the situation. Just a few meters are Haku and Tonraq, who both signal you two to head to their side.

Without a moment to waste, Iroh springs to his feet and whisks you off the group, carrying you to safety. As much as you do enjoy him holding you, you know you're more than capable of standing on your own. When you make it to your other companions, Iroh sets you down.

"Tonraq, you have my bow?"

"You aren't seriously thinking of fighting," he responds as his body unconsciously begins to take out your bow from his bag. 

"Any arrows?"

He's dubious to hand you the bow, but when he realizes that he brought no arrows, he feels confident enough to discard the weapon in your hands. "None, they're at the hotel."

"That's fine." You scan the floor for anything that can be used as a weapon. Within seconds, your hope depletes at the lack of tools. It isn't until your eyes land on your feet that you realize what you must do. 

Swiftly, you shed off both your shoes, earning the stares of your companions. "[Name], you do know that fight is being handled by the Avatar and Fire Lord," Haku meekly brings up. He isn't sure what you're up to but he knows it might aggravate the fight. 

"The girl is injuring the Fire Lord's wrist with every explosion. We need to stop her at least," you state your findings. Everyone directs their attention onto Fire Lord Zuko, who appears to be a bit weary. He is capable of defeating her in one blow, but his attempt to preserve her life tramples that.

While everyone is focused on the fight, you aim your shoe as Hammy sits on your shoulder, ready to hand you your next shoe. "Here we go," you say to yourself. 

Aim. Pull. Release.

The shoe goes flying in the direction you prayed it wouldn't go and it slaps the back of Fire Lord Zuko's head. The man staggers and rubs the sore area as he glances back. "What are you kids doing?... Was that a shoe?"

He gives the woman his backside, and she takes that chance. Her eyes widen as she gets into position to fire another beam from her forehead. "GRAMPS LOOK OUT!" Iroh yells, causing Fire Lord Zuko to once more pay attention to her.

But it's too late for him to react to her beam.

However, you had already reloaded and fired your other shoe. This time it's a perfect shot and hits the middle of her forehead before she can blast Fire Lord Zuko. Sparks fly about from her head and she collapses, unconscious from the pain.

"Hmm, I guess there's a different velocity when it's your left shoe," you think to yourself.

"Weren't you... aiming for her weak spot?" Iroh asks slowly. 

"I mean, I was aiming to put a shoe in her mouth. Payback from earlier," you shrug.

As your group bickers amongst each other, Fire Lord Zuko stares in awe. 'She truly is a ferocious girl... Iroh best not anger her ever.'