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

I See a Little Silhouetto of a Man

Azula instructed the Dai Li agents to dig a tunnel down to the catacombs. I walked beside her in silence, thinking of something to say.

"So, how long have you been with Zuzu?" Azula suddenly asked.

"Oh, uh, not that long. I mean, a couple months maybe." I responded. "But I met him right before he first encountered the avatar." I added.

Azula glanced over at me. "What made you go to the South Pole in the first place?"

I looked at the ground. "It's a long story. Perhaps another time."

"So your father is Lei Liang? I've heard great things about his strides in medicine. Of course, besides the fact that he randomly disappeared for a while up until a few years ago." Azula continued, trying to make me give her a reason not to trust me.

"My father is a bitch. He tends to leave for long periods of time. I hope you don't mind my language."

"Not at all. So, why are you here now, when you could go home to your mother?"

I thought for a moment. "My mother is gone. Not like I actually needed her or anything."

Azula smirked. "Good riddance."

The Dai Li agents broke through a wall and I saw Zuko and Uncle standing there. The agents encased Uncle in rock. I ran forward and gave Zuko a tight hug.

"Ashley... what are you doing with her?" Zuko asked me as a whisper.

"I expected this kind of treachery from Uncle, but Zuko, Prince Zuko...you're a lot of things, but you're not a traitor, are you?" Azula cut in.

"Release Uncle immediately!" Zuko ordered Azula, stepping in front of me defensively.

"It's not too late for you Zuko. You can still redeem yourself."

"The kind of redemption she offers is not for you." Iroh tried to persuade.

"Why don't you let him decide, Uncle? I need you Zuko. I've plotted every move of this day. This glorious day in Fire Nation history. And the only way we win is together. At the end of this day, you will have your honor back. You will have your father's love. You will have everything you want." Azula preached.

"Zuko, I am begging you, look into your heart and see what it is that you truly want."

Zuko looked back at Iroh. He was unsure of whom to listen to. He shut his eyes and hung his head, trying to come to a decision.

"You are free to choose." Azula decided. She waved a hand to the Dai Li agents, signaling them to leave. They all went back from where they entered. Azula went a different way and left the three of us alone.

Iroh broke through his stone restraints. "Nephew, I know you have good inside of you." He looked at me for support.

I grabbed Zuko's hands and looked into the depths of his eyes. "Zuko, we've been through so much, and I've seen you change for the better. When I first met you, you were cold, and mean. But as I got to know you; the true you, I saw how kind and caring you can be. It's why I love you. You know what the right choice is, Zuko, I'm sure of it."

Zuko groaned and only seemed more vexed by what I said. He grabbed his grown-out hair in his hands and contemplated what his next decision would be. After a while he shook his head slowly and started walking where Azula went. I started to follow him, but Iroh grabbed my sleeve to stop me.

When Zuko was out of sight, Uncle spoke to me, "No matter what my nephew does, you must stay with him. Lead him in the right direction."

I tilted my head. "What will you do?"