The Banished Commander (ATLA fanfiction)

Four

Zara's P.O.V.

"Thank you so much King Bumi," I say

"My pleasure to help an old friend." He says

I look back at Aang and he just smiles. I bow to Bumi then walk over to Appa, climbing in.

I watch as Aang says his goodbyes then we take off.

-~-

"Guys, look, its an earth bender." Katara says

I walk over and look through the bushes, to see a boy earthbending.

"Guys, we need to be careful." Sokka says "We don't know if he's an enemy or not."

"Hi!" Aang says, showing himself

I laugh softly then see the boy runoff.

Aang looks back at us and we shrug.

-~-

We walk into the village, seeing people everywhere. I follow Katara and Aang into a shop and freeze when I realize that the same boy from earlier is standing there.

"Hey, we saw you earthbending," Katara says

"Haru, they saw you what?" The woman says

"They were the only ones." He says
"Don't worry. His secret is safe with us." I say

"How can I be so sure? You're one of them." She says, motioning to my clothes

"I was banished by the Fire Lord himself almost 4 years ago," I say

"She's trustworthy, I promise," Sokka says

"Why would you keep your bending hidden?" Katara asks

"If the army here were to find out that Haru had the ability to bend, they would take him away, just like they did with his father and the others many years ago." His mother says

I look out the window and see some of the Fire Nation men coming this way.

"Speaking of them, we have some coming this way," I say

Zuko's P.O.V.

I shoot one of the men back as he comes running at me. I look at him as he gets back up, ready to keep fighting.

"That's enough for today." My uncle says, walking out

"I can continue training. I feel fine." I say

"I said that's enough for today. You can continue tomorrow." He says

"Fine," I grumble, walking to my room

I sit on the bed, looking at the ceiling.

-~-

I walk into the courtyard and see Zara, standing in her stance, facing away from my uncle, sweat dripping down her forehead.

I stop at the fountain, watching her as she tries to bring up a wall of fire again, only for her fire to sputter out.

"Why does it keep sputtering out?" She groans

"Are you breathing correctly?" My uncle asks

"I think so." She says "This is one of the simplest moves, yet I can't get it."

"Try again, but try to straighten your stance." He says

She takes a deep breath, taking stance again and tries again, this time, getting it to about her head then it dies out.