Zuko x Reader: Fire and Ice

Chapter 10: The Earth King

After just landing on a small island in the middle of the lake, Sokka, Toph, and Katara stood near Appa and Aang while I sat and looked onto the waters somewhat lost in thought. 

"I missed you more than you'll ever know, buddy." I could hear Aang say from a distance. I got up to meet with everyone. Sokka started, "Look, we escaped from the Dai Li. We got Appa back. I'm telling you, we should go to the Earth King now and tell him our plan. We're on a roll."

"One good hour after weeks of trouble isn't much of a roll."

"We can build on it. If we want to invade the Fire Nation when the eclipse happens, we'll need the Earth King's support."

Toph chimed in, "What makes you think we'll get it? I don't know if you've noticed, but things usually don't go that smoothly for our little gang."

I agreed with Toph, "That's true. We kind of don't have the best luck with these sorts of things."

"I know, but I've got a good feeling about this. This time will be different."

"Sokka, Long Feng is in control of the city. His conspiracy with the Dai Li is too powerful. I think we should just keep flying and leave this horrible place behind us."

"I'm with Sweetness. I've seen enough of Ba Sing Se...and I can't even see!!"

"Sokka, I agree with Toph. Y/n, what do you think?"

"I...yeah, this place is whatever. I guess I'll just miss my friend Lee."

"That's understandable, but you two could always send letters." I let out a quiet sigh and nodded. Aang flew by and landed beside us. "But now that we have Appa back, there's nothing stopping us from telling the Earth King the truth--about the conspiracy and the war."

"See? Aang's with me. It's the whole reason we came here in the first place. We have to try."

We all pondered this for a moment. I spoke up, "You two do make valid points. Maybe if the king knew the truth, things would change around here."

Toph spoke up, "I don't trust the new positive Sokka." She dramatically pointed at him, "Long Feng brainwashed you, didn't he?!" We turned to notice some ships in the lake. "That's probably the Dai Li searching for us. So...?" Sokka looked at Katara, waiting for an answer.

"Let's fly!"

We were on Appa, but unfortunately with no saddle. Holding onto his fur was terrifying. "Can we please buy a new saddle? Riding bareback is terrifying!" 

~~~

Now, we're near the palace. "There it is! That whole thing is the palace! The Earth King's chamber should be in the center!"

"We have to be careful. Long Feng's probably warned the king that we're coming."

"Why would you assume that? If you ask me, I think we're just gonna sail right in and-" A giant rock nearly hits us before Sokka could finish speaking.

"What was that?!" Toph yelled.

"Surface-to-air rocks! More incoming!" We dodge more rocks, and one gets launched at us head on. Aang breaks it with his hand. Then, another one is heading directly for us, but Aang slices it into two, completely missing us. Now, we're heading straight towards the ground, bracing for a rough landing. When we're closer, Aang jumps off of Appa and sends a wave of dust towards the guards, knocking down multiple in the process. Appa roars at the captain's ostrich horse, making it flee and drop the captain onto the ground. We run towards the palace, but we're soon bombarded with more guards. Aang and Toph head to one side, while Katara, Sokka, and I head to the other.