The Fire Within Us All (Completed)

Chapter 20 - This is War

Third Persons P.O.V.

Toph woke everyone up by creating a wall between the intruder and the gang as Zuko and Arabella lit the place up with their fire. Four figures came out from the wall as Katara and Sokka shared a look of happiness. These figures were not their enemies, but their friends they had learned from in the past.

"Who are these people?" Arabella asks Zuko as he looks at their outfits. "They look like they're from the white lotus." He responds as she looks up at them. "Iroh."

Once introductions were over, everyone followed the white lotus members beyond the wall and to a camp. "Prince Zuko, your uncle should be in that tent there." Pakku says pointing to a bigger tent compared to the others.

Arabella and Zuko share a look before Zuko walks towards the tent. Arabella smiles but frowns as Zuko sits down in frustration. Katara walks up to him and squats down beside him. "Your uncle would be proud of you Zuko. You gave up everything to follow us and you've even come this far with us. Don't be nervous."

Katara pats his shoulder before walking away before Arabella joins them by the fire. "He'll be so happy to see him." Arabella smiles before soup is handed around the fire. 'Fantastic, another random soup to add to my taste buds.'

Soon, Zuko and Iroh joined them by the fire. "Arabella, so nice to see you again!" Iroh smiles before he shares a hug with the girl he entrusted his nephew to. "Iroh." Arabella smiles before sitting down beside him and handing him a bowl of soup.

"Uncle, you must come with us. If the avatar isn't there, you may be the only one who can defeat my father." Zuko says as the group of teens nod in agreement. "I cannot do this." He says holding his soup closer to him.

"The avatar is the only one who should defeat the Firelord. It cannot be anyone else. As his friends, you must believe in him as the world must believe in him." Iroh says before looking towards Arabella. "I think it's time you go back to the capital."

Seeing her pained expression on her face, he continued. "I know that there are only memories of pain and suffering there Arabella, but it is time you make peace with these demons. The only way you're going to do this is by going there and seeing that no one blames you." Iroh says smiling.

"You must take back the capital." Iroh says looking at all of them. "You must believe that Aang will come through as you are making their defenses weaker."

Sokka nods before taking out a map from his bag. "This is a map of the capital and surrounding areas. Here is where the rumors say they're planning on attacking. Suki, Toph, and I will take care of the ships that will be sent out here to destroy the Earth Kingdom." He explains before looking up.

"Katara, Zuko, and Arabella will go to the capital. Someone has to put Azula in her place. Take down all those you can while there. That will make their backup numbers less." He explains as they nod.

"We will stay on the border to stall any troops that may come our way. This plan must work." Iroh says as everyone stands. People started to run around the camp readying everything for war.

Zuko, Katara, and Arabella climb up on Appa before looking down at Iroh. "If I'm to become the Firelord, what will you do?" Zuko questions. "After this is all over, I'm going to go to Ba Sing Se and open up my tea shop." He smiles making Arabella smile more. "And I'll still be your number one customer."

"You may not be visiting often, Arabella. Your duties may lie elsewhere." He says before glancing at his nephew before smiling at Arabella. "Iroh!" She laughs before sharing a look at Zuko. "Stop being a match maker uncle." He says before Appa starts to fly off.

'Duties elsewhere?' Arabella thinks while looking at Zuko who was staring off into the distance. 'I never imagined I would live in the capital again, let alone in the palace.' She stares off towards the clouds. 'And I have Armelle to think about.'

'Could I really end up being the ruler of the Fire Nation with Zuko?' Arabelle questions looking towards Zuko.

~~~~~~~

Soon the capital came into view as the sky turned a blood red color. Power was seeping through my body as the comet was giving me strength.

"Are you guys ready for this?" Zuko asks as he lands Appa. Katara and Arabella both nod before they rush towards the palace to see Azula about to be crowned the Firelord. Zuko stopped and stared at his sister before getting ready to fight. "You're not going to become Firelord, I am."

Azula laughed while looking upon her sibling. "Fine, you want to become Firelord, steal the crown from me. You and I alone shall duel. I challenge you to agni kai!" She yells unbuttoning her cape. "Deal."

"Zuko no. You know she's just playing you." Katara says looking over at him with surprise. "You even admitted you needed help" Arabella says grabbing onto his shoulder.

"There is something off about her, and I know you can feel it too. Now is my chance." He says grabbing her hand and taking it from his shoulder but not letting go. Arabella looking down at their hands before looking up at him. "Fine."

Katara and Arabella make their way towards a fenced off area to watch the two take their stances.

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There should be one more chapter left after this! Xoxo

3/23/2020