Flames of Destiny

16. EVERYONE GETS TO STORM THE SECRET UNDERGROUND BASE!

So, 700+ followers on FFN and 9k+ hits on ao3.

Holy. Schist.

I'm actually at a loss of words apart from the two words I said right above.

Well, since I aint got much to say and my tongue is practically tied,  let's move on to Chapter 16 of FoD. Hope you guys enjoy it!

"I know what I need to do."

The stout elderly man with grey-beard merely hummed in response to show that he had heard his nephew speak and was all ears. Evening was approaching and Iroh wanted to be sure that they did not miss out on any other things that they will take to the Upper Ring as they complete their move by tomorrow and the grand opening of his tea shop the day after.

"I'm going to find the Avatar's bison."

Iroh sighed. They just had this conversation yesterday! He opened his mouth, ready to chide the stubborn teen once again. "Prince Zuko –"

"I'm going to return it to him," Zuko half-interrupted the man and half-explained his plan.

Of all the things he expected the young Prince to say, that was definitely at the bottom of Iroh's list. There's a list? He had prepared himself in case Zuko wanted to get the bison for himself to lure the Avatar, which will definitely open a whole new set of problems from 'where should the bison be held?' to 'do sky bison drink tea?'.

"Oh?" was the only response that the former general could come up with. Well, maybe his nephew wouldn't come up with half-cooked plans like the North Pole anymore.

Hopefully.

A small sensation of satisfaction washed over Zuko and his lips tugged up just slightly as he watched the dumbfounded look on his uncle's face. Absentmindedly he started scratching the back of his neck.

"I mean, I had the whole afternoon to think about it, and I realized I have a lot to make up for," he said, and Iroh noticed that the teen started to fidget slightly out of nervousness and his eyes were looking at the ground. "And maybe returning the bison won't be enough. It's probably not, but I want to," a pause as he searched for the right word. "I don't know... try?" He lifted his head to look at his uncle. "Maybe you want to help out?"

"No."

Amber eyes widened. "What?!" Zuko didn't sound angry, nor challenged. He sounded... confused. Worried, even. Realizing that, Iroh placed a hand on his nephew's shoulder, to prevent the boy from possibly losing his head.

"Listen to me, Prince Zuko," the former general's voice was calmer than he remembered. "I've watched you grow since you could barely crawl," a small, fond smile filled with pride and nostalgia formed on his face as he recalled the many times he watched a baby Zuko tried to crawl. "And now you have grown enough that you are now able to choose your own path."

Zuko was quick to protest. "But you've been with me the past three years –"

"To guide you and keep you from straying from your path."

Iroh watched uncertainty filled Zuko's eyes as the young firebender deflate slightly and his gaze dropped back to the ground. "But... What if the path I choose is the wrong one?"

"Zuko, ask yourself. What does your heart want?"

The silence that took over the room was deafening as Iroh waited for Zuko's answer, the gears in the boy's mind visibly turning for the grey-bearded man to see as he pondered on the question.