Chapter Text
Zuko knew going into Fire Nation waters was risky. Even more so with Zhao in his way. But he needed the Avatar. He needed to return home.
Hopefully with Uncle leading a diversion, Zuko would be able to grab him.
He’d have to keep an eye on the Avatar’s friends, though. They might be peasants, and children, but he had no idea what either of them were capable of yet. And the Avatar wouldn’t keep them around if they weren’t strong.
Sneaking into the temple was easy enough. He had been there a few times in the past, most visits before his banishment.
He remembered coming to the temple once after his banishment. It was on the ship’s way out of the Fire Nation. His punishment had still been fresh enough that the pain was nearly unbearable. Still, he had ordered Uncle to dock the ship and gather as much information on the Avatar from the Sages as he could.
It was much easier to move around there now that his pain no longer weakened him.
The Avatar Sanctuary was on the top floor, and if the new Avatar came here, that’s what he’s here for.
There were very few people maintaining the temple. Just the Sages, guards and a handful of servants. All of which were too busy attempting to capture the Avatar to pay attention to him. Good.
Commotion on the top floor encouraged him to speed up. It was only a matter of time before Zhao figured out his ruse -if he hadn’t already- and Zuko wanted to be out of the temple before he arrived. He couldn’t have the Sages getting in the way of his destiny.
On his way, Zuko passed one of the windows facing the docks and happened to look through it.
Zhao’s ship had arrived. Zuko needed to end this. Quickly.
The sound of the Sanctuary doors opening covers his arrival. Zuko spots the Avatar hiding behind a pillar –the coward- while the sages Firebended. The Avatar was just about to run into the Sanctuary when Zuko managed to grab hold of him.
From the other side of the pillar, Zuko heard one of the Sages call out the Avatar’s name –he’ll pay for his treachery, for his disrespect, he’ll burn- with the water girl’s voice following close behind. Zuko took that as his que to walk out from behind the pillar, Avatar in hand. He needed to end this.
“The Avatar’s coming with me!” The loyal Sages used this chance to free themselves from the binds the Avatar’s friends had them in.
He turns around, keeping his grip on the Avatar tight.
“Close the doors! Quickly!” He walks the Avatar towards the steps. The Avatar twists in his arms, turning to look behind him. Zuko relaxed his grip slightly. If the Avatar wanted to view his friends one more time before he was taken to the Firelord, Zuko would grant him that.
The Avatar must have noticed his weakness, because he suddenly sent a blast of air into Zuko. The Prince tumbled down the stairs while the Avatar ran for the Sanctuary.
Zuko couldn’t let that happen. Once Zhao had reached the top, Zuko had no chance. He was alone, whereas Zhao had an entire fleet. No matter how strong Zuko was –or wasn’t-, Zhao’s men would overpower him.
Zuko makes a grab at the Avatar, who only just managed to fly into the Sanctuary before the doors slammed shut. A bright light shone from beneath the door. One Zuko recognized from his first meeting with the Avatar.
There was something different about it though. Familiar. It reminded him of his mother.
Zuko cast his thoughts aside whatever he felt about that light didn’t matter. He needed to get the Avatar.
Zuko and three of the Sages threw a blast of fire at the ports. Nothing happened.
“Why isn’t it working?”
“It must have been the light. Avatar Roku doesn’t want us inside.” Great. Now two of the Avatar’s incarnations were his enemy.
At least Zhao wouldn’t be able to get in either. Zuko would just have to be the one at the door when the Avatar exited.
It didn’t matter now. What did matter, was the traitor Fire Sage.
Zuko spun around to face the traitor. Two of the guards were holding him.
“Why did you help the Avatar?” Zuko could understand loyalty to Avatar Roku. But this new Avatar was not Roku.
“Because it was once the sages’ duty. It is still our duty.”
As much as Zuko hated it, the traitor was right. The Fire Sages operate outside the regular rule of the Fire Nation. Except for when given a direct order from the Firelord. Zuko’s father had not ordered the Sages to capture the Avatar if he ever arrived.
The man was doing his duty. Zuko couldn’t fault him for that.
Zuko opened his mouth to order the guards to free the man when he was interrupted by a slow clap.
Zhao.
“What a moving and heartfelt performance. I’m certain the Firelord will understand, when you explain why you betrayed him.”
Zuko bristled. The man didn’t betray anyone. He hadn’t disobeyed a direct order. He hadn’t been disrespectful to anyone. He was doing what he believed was right.
The Great Sage greeted Zhao as he walked in. Zhao turned to Zuko. He thinks he’ll never meet someone he’ll want to punch as much as Zhao.
“And Prince Zuko. It was a noble effort, but your little smokescreen didn’t work.” Obviously.
Two of Zhao’s men seized Zuko from behind. Four more moved to take the Avatar’s water friends.
“Two traitors in one day, the Firelord will be pleased.” How dare he! Zuko was no traitor. He was following his father’s orders. He was regaining his honour. Zhao had no right to speak of him that way!
He struggled against the soldiers. Behind him, he could sense the Avatar’s friends doing the same.
“You’re too late Zhao! The Avatar’s inside and the doors are sealed.”
Zhao grinned at him. Zuko hated that grin more than anything else in the world.
“No matter. Sooner or later, he has to come out.” He turned to face the door. Waving offhandedly at the soldiers holding Zuko and the Avatar’s friends. “Take them to a cell somewhere. And keep guard.”
Zuko continued to struggle as the soldiers took them down the stairs. One of the fire sages walked ahead of them, opening passages in the walls to use as shortcuts. Zuko took note of them. They’d be useful once he escaped –if he escaped-.
Eventually, they stopped in front of a large cell made of stone and metal. The soldiers pushed the three of them into the cell. Zuko was about to protest when he realized something.
The punishment for banished stepping back into the Fire Nation was death. Father was going to kill him.