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

Easy Go

I opened my eyes and looked around at the familiar surroundings. I sat on my bed, clutching a stuffed animal. I stared in down in confusion for a moment and then placed it down beside myself. I looked around, breathing in the familiarity. I was home.

I stood up, gazing down at my pajamas, and a small smile crossed upon my face. I looked out the window, and laughed happily, seeing the sky line of New York.

I ran down the hallway. "Mom! Ben!" I called excitedly.

I ran around the corner into my kitchen and froze. A man stood. Brown hair and dark brown eyes. An angry expression. "Why are you back?" I questioned.

He walked forward, gazing intently on me. I widened my eyes and ran towards the door. I grabbed onto the doorknob and twisted. It wouldn't budge. I looked back at the man and held my breath.

I woke up and let out a large breath. The rocking of the ship soothed me and got my breathing back to normal. "It was only a dream." I whispered to myself. I could hear Zuko across the hall, probably having another tantrum.

Standing up, I sighed and looked down in my clothes. I wasn't in my pajamas anymore. Just the same old fire nation clothes. "I need to get some decent clothes." I noted to myself as I walked out my room. All things considered, I guess I was glad my dream wasn't real.

I yawned and knocked on Zuko's door briefly before entering. "What's the problem, Prince Zuko?" I questioned with another tiny yawn. I blinked slowly as I watched Zuko and Iroh stare at a map.

"We don't know where the Avatar is going to be next." Iroh informed me as Zuko continued fuming.

"Give me the map!" He said, snatching it. The prince opened the scroll and I peered over his shoulder, seeing the world I was on for the first time. It looked so underwhelming compared to Earth. It was much more simple.

"There have been multiple sightings of the Avatar, but he is impossible to track down." Iroh said.

"How am I gonna find him, Uncle?" Zuko questioned.

I looked at all the zig zags and marks on the map of where the Avatar had been. It was a mess.

"He is clearly a master of evasive maneuvering." Zuko said in thought.

"Or maybe the opposite." I said with a slight eye roll.

"This is the Avatar we are talking about, Ashley." Zuko replied.

I shrugged. "I would know better then you. In my opinion, he didn't seem too smart."

Zuko rolled his eyes. "He must be smart, he's the Avatar."

"Ok." I said. "If you say so. I'm gonna try to go back to sleep now." I said, dipping my head and leaving. I wasn't sure why Zuko had to be so dramatic. If I was him, I'd build a nice house near a lake and just live there. But it seemed like Zuko wanted much more than that. I stayed up the rest of the night, fearful my if dream were to return.

———

It was the next afternoon, near dinner time. I sat down at the table, next to Zuko and Iroh. Our food was about to be served.

"Uncle, do you think the Avatar is near by?" Zuko questioned. I internally sighed with the mention of the avatar again. Did he think of nothing else?

"I would not know, but I do know that if you look hard enough for something you will find your true purpose." Iroh responded.