Within Shadows (Zuko x Reader)

End

"Uncle. You're the only one other than the Avatar who could possibly defeat the Father Lord." Zuko spoke. You paused from eating and looked at Zuko with a raised brow. Unsure if you heard him right.

"You mean the Fire Lord." Toph corrected casually.

"That's what I just said." Zuko defended.

"Uh... Sure you did." You teased beside him. He shot you a look and you playfully stuck your tongue out. Iroh hummed out in thought, Zuko's attention returning to Iroh.

"We need you to come with us." The boy urged.

"No Zuko. It won't turn out well." Iroh finally replied.

"You can beat him. And we'll be there to help." You placed a hand on Zuko's shoulder.

"No, Zuko he's right. It wouldn't end well." You agreed with the older man. Iroh gave a nod towards you and turned back to Zuko.

"Even if I did defeat Ozai, and I don't know if I could, it would be the wrong way to end the war. History will see it as more senseless violence. A brother killing a brother to grab power. The only way for this war to end peacefully, is for the Avatar to defeat the Fire Lord." He explained.

"It's been Aangs destiny since he was born to do it himself." You added on. Zuko fell silent for a moment and glanced to Iroh.

"And then... Would you take the throne?" He asked his uncle.

"No. Someone new must take the throne. An idealist with a pure heart and unquestionable honor. It has to be you, Prince Zuko." Zuko flinched a little in surprise at his uncle's words and he glanced down dejectively.

"Unquestionable honor? But I've made so many mistakes." He replied and looked back to Iroh. You grabbed his hand and his attention turned to you.

"Yes, you've made mistakes and so have I. You've struggled for so long but in the end you've learned from those mistakes and and went on your own path and even restored your honor for yourself and by yourself. And if anyone can restore the honor of the Fire Nation... You bet your ass it's you who will come out on top and make the Fire Nation peaceful once again." You encouraged with determination and pride in your eyes. His golden orbs glimmered with something but you could still feel the doubt within him.

"I'll try..." He replied.

"Well... What if Aang doesn't come back?" Toph questioned.

"Sozin's comet is arriving. And our destinies are upon us. Aang will face the Fire Lord." Iroh assured. "When I was a boy, I had a vision that I'd one day take Ba Sing Se. Only now do I see that my destiny was to take it back from the Fire Nation so the Earth Kingdom can be free again."

"That's why you gathered members of the White Lotus." Suki pointed out.

"Yes. Zuko, you must return to the Fire Nation so once the Fire Lord falls, you can assume the throne and restore peace and order. But Azula will be there waiting for you." Iroh advised.

"I can handle Azula." Zuko replied.

"Not alone." You and Iroh spoke at he same time.

"You'll need help." Iroh finished.

"You're right... (Y/n), Katara, how would you two like to put Azula in her place?" Zuko questioned the two of you. You smirked and cracked your knuckles.

"I think I deserve a rematch of that Agni Kai from years ago. I also wasn't going to let you go alone regardless." You replied and sent him a wink.

"And it would be my pleasure to help take her down." Katara replied.

"What about us? What's our destiny today?" Sokka asked, referring to himself, Suki and Toph.