The Banished Commander (ATLA fanfiction)

Twenty

Zara's P.O.V.

I look around the library before trying to find Aang. I shake my head before running after the others, trying to find the rope again.

"Zara!" Katara yells

I look around before I see her climbing up the rope. I shake my head before looking back before I see the owl rushing towards us.

I shake my head before using the fire to boost me towards the rope.

"Where's Sokka?" Katara yells

"I don't know. But I need to distract the owl while you climb." I start "Aang should be looking for Sokka."

I look at the owl before using the fire to push me in another direction, leading it away from the rope. I look at the sad as it fills the library before heading towards where the professor ran off to.

"Sir, we need to go!" I yell

"But all the secrets here!" He argues

"I'm sorry but we need to go!" I try before I feel something grab me

"He's not going to come, now let's go!" Aang says

I look at the ground before seeing the owl flying after us.

"Aang, let go of me, I'll be able to use the fire to get out of here." I start "Sokka what did you find?"

"I'll explain when we get out of here." Sokka starts

I nod before using the fire to throw me further up the rope as Aang grabs Katara as the rope breaks from the stress.

I watch as they hurry out of the window before I throw myself through the window, landing in the sand. I hear Toph let out a sigh of relief before she lets the library go.

"Wait... where's Appa?" Aang asks as he looks around

I sit up before looking around where we left the two of them.

"They took him..." Toph whispers

"What do you mean they took him?" Aang yells

"Sand benders." I whisper before looking at Toph "They took a special interest in him back at the haven."

"Why didn't you try and stop them?" Aang yells again

"The building was sinking and you guys were still in it!" Toph defends

"Right! You never liked Appa!" He growls

"That's enough!" I hiss "Aang think about what you're saying."

"If it wasn't for Toph we would all be buried right now." Sokka tries

I sigh before running my hand through my hair, looking out in the distance.

"She did her best. We're in the desert and sand isn't easy to bend like solid earth is." I start "Let's start heading back, we'll start looking as soon as we can."

Zuko's P.O.V.

I look at the boat before sighing as we start to board the boat. Iroh looks at me before he nods.

"I know you want to continue the search now, but for the better of us with your sister hunting us, it will be safer to find somewhere safe." Iroh starts

"I had them both in my grasps." I start "Zara, I wouldn't have turned her in. I would've made up a lie or something to help her return home. But I had them both. I had her back."

"Zara knows you better than you probably know yourself." He starts "You two will eventually meet up again."

I shrug before look at the boat docks before I see a figure jogging towards us. I look at my uncle before he smiles.

"Jian, it's good to see you again." My uncle laughs

"Sorry I couldn't get a ship here sooner." He starts "With the war getting worse, more people want to go to Ba Sing Se."

I look at the man in front of us before I see him study me.

"Prince Zuko, it's been a while. You've grown up." Jian says

I smile softly before nodding.

"It's good to see you Jian." I smile "Zara would love to know you're alive."

"How is my daughter?" Jian asks "I was sure she was going to find you when I found out about your banishment."

"She's currently traveling with the avatar." Iroh answers

"Wait really? She's the firebender that I've heard about?" Jian asks "She's not scared to bend anymore?"

"She's embraced the mark Jian. She finally embraced that it's part of her and there is no getting rid of it." Iroh says "She's grown up since you had to go into hiding."

Jian shakes his head before laughing.

"I honestly would give anything to see her again." Jian whispers

I look at him before looking away.

"Alright you guys, let's get you onto the ship before it leaves. We need to be quick." Jian says

Zara's P.O.V.

I look around the desert before shaking my head. I look towards the sky to see if I can see Aang's flying figure anywhere before I see the others starting to slow down.

"Get some rest." I start "I'll take the first watch."

"Zara, you used a lot of energy trying to keep the owl away from the rope." Katara starts

"I know. But I'm also not that tired. You guys need the sleep more than I do. Sokka needs to sleep that cactus juice off, Toph just needs to sleep, and you have been worrying about them all day. Now get some sleep okay." I start

Katara looks at me before nodding as her and the other two start to get comfortable on the sand before I start a small fire in between all of us. I sit down to care for the fire as I keep my eyes on the sky, looking for Aang.

-~-

I look over at the other to see them all still asleep before I diminish the fire in the sand and just hold it in my hands, creating small figures in the fire. I smile before watching it as I create the fire dragon and let it wrap up my arm.

I hear something land across from me before I look up and see Aang standing there, looking exhausted.

"I looked everywhere." He whispers

I cut my flame off before standing up and walking over to him. He takes one look at me shaking his head as he falls into my arms.

"Rest okay. It's time to rest kiddo." I whisper

"I need to find him." He argues weakly

"I know and we will. As a team." I explain

He nods before he yawns and let's me take his staff as he falls onto the sand, almost immediately falling asleep with Momo curled up against him.