A Second Flame: Zuko x Reader

Chapter 36

I looked up, oh you had to be kidding me.... now? Of all possible times...

"I could ask you the same Zuko." I smirked. He wore a dark red robe with gold trimming. I knew this to be his, "sneaking out" look.

"I guess you're right... but I was  visiting Uncle." He replied.

"Any particular reason?"

"I got this letter... well it's a long story but I had to go down into the catacombs to find out about my grandfather."

"Sneaking out in the middle of the night to investigate a letter? Sounds like something we might of done back when we were kids..." I muttered trying to lighten the mood. Needless to say it didn't work. Fresh pain and confusion was longing in Zuko's eyes.

"But then Uncle told me that Fire Lord Sozin and Avatar Roku are both my grandfathers. He said that's why I'm so conflicted... that I can redeem our family... but I'm still just so confused (Y/N). I don't know who to trust and what to do." He spat his golden eyes brimming with emotion. I laid my hand on his shoulder.

So, Zuko grandfather's are a former firelord and an Avatar? It's almost poetic.

"You know what the right thing is Zuko. Just because you made the wrong choice better doesn't mean it's over." my voice was quiet under the moonlight, but persistent, "You said you saw Iroh right? how is he doing?"

"He's at least talking to me now... but he looks so sickly and weak! Everytime I look at him he just seems so sad. I don't know what to do."

"Whether you like to admit it or not Zuko, he sees you like a son. You betrayed him...and you must live the consequences of your  choice. You didn't just betray him, you-you betrayed me." Suddenly a rush of emotion swelled over me. I could see Iroh, the pain Zuko caused him. I could see me and Fai taking down Azula and Zuko, restoring the honor of the Firenation.

I saw before me two paths; Zuko or Fai. Stay with Zuko and try to convince him what he's doing is wrong. Tell Fai everything and help the Avatar who I now knew was alive.

I knew I would need to choose eventually. But for now, I looked back into Zuko's eyes.

But how soon would eventually come?

"(Y/N), are you alright? Are you crying? What's wrong?"

"Everything used to be so simple..." My voice trembled. All the memories came flashing back.

"(Y/N)... what are you talking about?"

I could see the Avatar, Azula finally taken down, all the pain lifted off my shoulders. My parents finally seeing me for who I am. The world finally knowing I'm just just some weakling.

"I... can't wait anymore. I'm sorry Zuko. But I have to put what's right before what I love." Tears fell like blood against my skin. Everything I thought I knew seemed to spin and shatter before my eyes.

I am making my choice. I am done waiting.

I ran faster then I thought I ever could. My eyes flashed in every single direction, I had to find Fai and Iroh and then get the hell out of here.

"(Y/N)!" A voice called out. Fai chased after me.

"Fai? We don't have much time but.... I'm choosing what's right. Zuko will summon the guards any minute so we have to go."

"You're doing the right thing (Y/N)." I could tell the grin on his face was genuine.

"Iroh is in a prison near the palace. We have to at least try to get him out."

Fai nodded and I didn't look back. I was tired of looking back, all my life I've been forced to look back. All my life my parents never cared, choices were made for me, and I just went along.

If fate didn't want to be on my side, then-then I would make it!

We were out of the palace. Had Zuko really not sent guards on us? Soon, my question was answered as a swarm of fire came rushing toward me.

"I said don't hurt her!" Zuko comanded. For a moment I could see his eyes, pain, regret, betrayal.

Everything I thought I loved, thought I could trust fell like dust beneath my feet.

I don't owe Zuko anything, I am not weak anymore.

"Prince Zuko, they are traitors to the Firenation we have to secure them any way we know how." A guard replied as I continued to dodge attacks. Fire seemed to be coming at me so quickly it all blended together.

I could see the prison in which Iroh was being kept, it was crowded with guards.

I kicked some fire at the guards as Fai shot his arrows. Embers lit the darkness of the sky. At least the tiredness of the soldiers was on our side.

"(Y/N), I'm sorry but there is no way we can get into that prison. We need to run while we still can." Fai panicked seeing how few arrows he had left.

"But..." I knew he was right, Iroh isn't  stupid.  In time, he can find a way out on his own, "fine let's get out of here."

Since Fai used to be in the Firenation army, he knew their weakpoints at the palace.

Using darkness as our cover, we snuck away from the guards.

In the distance I could hear the fanatic, "where did they go?" From several different soildiers.

Trying to be as quiet as we could, we ran further and further from the palace.  If we could get out of the capitol city, we would be free.

♡☆♡ Zuko

I saw her hair flowing in the wind as she faded into the dark of night.

So this is what it feels like to lose the person I loved the most. Everything in my body felt numb and lifeless. Was I in shock?

I couldn't even manage to chase after her,
"She doesn't want you anymore Zuko. She's gone."

I could almost hear Azula's voice laughing at my pathetic state.

"I can't just let her leave. I love her, I need her." I stammered rushing forward. All the guards were confused and dispersed. They didn't even know where to look anymore.

A general ran up to me,
"Prince Zuko, I'm sorry they got away. We can send out troops to look in the morning-"

"Don't bother." I spat turning my face down so he couldn't see my tears.

☆♡☆ (Y/N)

The terrain became more and more unkempt. Since most of the town was asleep, getting out of the city around the palace was easy. So we had finally gotten out of the capitol city. But what now?

"So, you want to tell me what you know?" Fai smirked, "I'm assuming it's pretty big since you were willing to run away."

"Oh right, of course...I guess I haven't  told you yet. Fai, the Avatar... the Avatar is alive."

Fai's eyes narrowed in shock,
"He's alive? This is amazing! Then we still have a chance! We... we have to find him!"

"The problem is that I have no clue where he is. The last time I saw him was in Ba Sing Se. The waterbender  Katara that he traveled with had special spirit water that revived him. But it's unlikely he's there now." I replied meeting Fai's glance.

"He's probably somewhere in the Firenation... I'm assuming that he's getting ready to attack the Firenation at some point."

"Your probably right. Well, then we have no time to waste!"

Bet y'all didn't see that coming:)))) (or maybe you did idk XD) comment below with your guy's guesses and predictions along with your thoughts on the chapter °3°