The Fire Within - an atla fanfic (Zuko x OC)

Look Up to the Skies and See

I went back into my room for the time being, as Zuko was with the Avatar, and I knew the prince wouldn't be too fond of seeing me. I had to wait until the Avatar was away from him.

I heard a door slam from across the hallway and I knew Zuko went into his room. I came out of my room and closed the door quietly, careful to make sure he didn't hear me. I went down to my old cell, as I figured that's where he would be put. As I was walking, I could hear the Avatar.

"So.. I guess you've never fought an Airbender before," The Avatar said to the guards taking him to his cell. "I bet I could take you both with my hands tied behind my back."

"Silence." One of the guards responded.

I peered down the hallway and saw the Avatar take in a deep breath and blow a gust of air. He flew backwards, leaving the two guards on the floor. "Excuse me, Avatar?" I said, panting as I ran after him.

The Avatar stopped and turned around quickly and looked at me. "I need help, I'm not supposed to be here." I said, trying to sound convincing. "And I'm not Fire Nation either, so I won't, like, kill you or something, oh, and my name is Ashley."

"I'm Aang," he responded with a boyish smile. "Follow me."

We both ran up to the deck, and Aang kicked open the door the tower. One of the guards came out from below the ship where we just were. "The Avatar has escaped!" He yelled up to the helmsman.

We ran through the metal hallways until we reached two more guards. "You haven't seen my staff around have you?" Aang said as he blew past them. They all looked where he went, dumbfounded, and I stepped between them all, hoping they wouldn't come back to realization and attack me. I ran after Aang.

"Why am I so bad at running??" I questioned as I continued panting. I climbed up a ladder and a streak of fire almost met my face as Aang basically flew above the guard. "Oh my God." I said, heavy pants in between.

Aang pulled the man down with him; luckily for me, and I ran past the guard. "Thank.. you." I managed to say. I wasn't quite sure where we were going, but I blindly followed, because I was going to be in trouble. I might as well be next to apparently the strongest person in this world when that happens.

We ran through a hallway, peeking through doors. "This next room is Iroh's room I think." I panted out as I caught up to him. He opened up the door and we both looked at Iroh as he snored on his bed. "I need to find my staff." Aang whispered to me.

I thought for a moment and nodded. "I think I may know which room it is in." I said quietly. I led him down another hallway and pointed to a door. "This is Prince Zuko's room." I said, matter-of-factly.

Aang nodded and walked in carelessly. I followed him anxiously and the door shut behind us. I turned around and gulped, seeing the scarred prince stare at me.

"Looks like I underestimated you." Zuko said, concentrating on Aang. They both stared at each other, and I backed away awkwardly, knowing I wouldn't be any help. Zuko got into a stance and started throwing punches, as Aang ran away from them.

Aang ran behind Zuko's back, and Zuko began throwing random fire around the room. I gasped and ducked as a streak of fire almost came near my face. Aang sat on a ball of air and went around the room, Zuko soon knocking him off. I thought desperately. I knew Zuko was bad, but I didn't want either of them to get hurt. If I could just give us a distraction to get away, no one would get hurt. I looked around and grabbed one of the banners with the fire insignia on it. I ran over to Zuko and wrapped it around him. "I'm sorry Zuko." I said in a genuine tone.

Zuko grunted, Aang and I running away for dear life. We got up to the deck of the ship. Aang tried to fly away on a glider of some sort, but Zuko jumped and caught onto his leg. I held onto the bars of the deck, when a saw a large animal in the distance flying. "What the fuck is that." I thought to myself. Zuko seemed confused as well, and they continued battling. Aang fell into the water and a girlon the animal, Katara I think, starting calling for him.

Suddenly, Aang resurfaced, his eyes and tattoos glowing, and he bended the water, splashing all the men off the ship. I widened my eyes as the water came towards me as well, and I fell into the ocean below. I surfaced and gasped. I swam, trying to catch up with the ship, but even trying my best, the ship was far too fast. I kept trying regardless, tears slipping from my eyes. I didn't like this new place so far.